Winter comes and it comes fast. If you are looking at saving money and making sure that you are still warm, a fireplace can be a great choice. While it can bring warmth and savings to your home it can actually bring some serious dangers as well. Here are some ways to keep your home safe and warm this winter.

Inspection

If you have seen Mary Poppins you understand that there used to be chimney sweeps. While it isn’t like the good ole days when men dressed in charcoal stained clothing used to dance on roofs, there are people who do inspections on chimneys to make sure that they are safe.

Wood

Make sure that you are only putting wood or paper in the fireplace. Many people can cause some major problems when they burn trash or other things that cause more smoke. While it is important to burn only wood, it is important to choose the right wood. Many people try to burn moist, soft wood which can create creosote buildup and ultimately make things dangerous for you and your family. Make sure you are using seasoned hardwood or seasoned wood pellets that don’t have nails or any other things inside.

Smoke Alarms

It’s pretty obvious that a smoke alarm is a good idea, even if you don’t have a fireplace. It is important that you make sure that all of the batteries are replaced and the wiring is ok.

Make sure you are safe this winter by using your fireplace the right way. There is no need to cause any unnecessary dangers. Follow these few steps and you can be sure your house will be both warm and safe. And, it never hurts to protect your home with insurance!

photo credit: mike appel via photopin cc