You should have a good chimney company in Short Hills to help you stay safe when using your chimney. A fireplace is a great enhancement to the appearance of your home. But one thing that people overlook is that a fireplace can be very dangerous if you haven’t taken your time to ensure your chimney is in great working condition. You should make sure your chimney is safe to use by following the tips below.

Get an inspection

You should start by having your chimney inspected and cleaned from time to time. This will help you avoid any potential carbon monoxide poisoning or fire because the chimney inspector will let you know the condition of your chimney.

Cap your chimney

Cap your chimney whenever you aren’t using it. This makes it rust-resistant. The cap is designed to keep debris, animals and leaves out of your house so that it doesn’t block the gas from flowing.

Keep it clear

Keep your décor or furniture a good distance away from your fireplace. Kee in mind that exposure to heat can make it possible for your furniture to catch fire over time. Your house will quickly catch fire when your furniture does.

Add a door or screen

Adding glass doors or a screen in front of your fireplace will keep the sparks within instead of burning any furniture or carpet. This will add another security layer if you have small kids. Never leave glass doors closed when the fire is burning.

Detectors

Your chimney company should install working detectors if you don’t have them already. You should ensure your carbon monoxide or smoke detectors are up to date and working properly. You should have them on the ceiling because that is the optimal place where carbon monoxide or smoke will rise.

Use the appropriate fire starter

You should use a fire starter that is designed for the kind of fireplace you have. The use of lighter fluid, gasoline, and charcoal grill lighters is highly prohibited and discouraged. These types of lighters will increase the potential for fire. They can cause flames to increase in size. Some of them are an accelerant that can cause residue to remain behind and cause an ignition within the flue.

Make sure the outside of the chimney is clean

The inside of your chimney is the most cared for. A lot of people forget about the outside. The outside of the chimney is just as important as the inside. You should make sure the area outside of the chimney is clean. There shouldn’t be branches around blocking the top of your chimney.

Keep the flame small

Don’t burn a lot of wood at one time. You should burn wood toward the back of your fireplace on a grate. Burning too much wood at a time will increase the buildup of the creosote and cause the chimney to crack.

Research

Find a reputable chimney company in Short Hills before trusting any company with your chimney. Make sure you choose an affordable, experienced and knowledgeable company.