There is a certain old world charm to a wood-burning fireplace; for centuries they have provided essential warmth, their hearths evoke images of hearty meals; simmering logs flicker with a mesmerizing display of colours. One of the nicest things about leaving behind summer's warm evenings is the opportunity to use a fireplace. Before you settle into cozy evenings in front of the fire, take a moment to review some important precautions.

A fireplace has several elements, which need to be clean, functional and properly constructed in order to prevent uncontrolled fires and harmful fumes: a chimney guard, a hearth, a chimney, a flue, doors and a damper.

A chimney guard covers the rooftop opening of the chimney and allows smoke to exit through vents on the sides. These covers confine sparks, which might otherwise ignite your roof. They also prevent rain and snow from entering your fireplace. The major hazards with chimney guards are obstructions typically caused by bird and squirrel nests or the collection of leaves in the fall. It's a good idea to inspect your chimney cover regularly to ensure the airways are clear.

A hearth is technically the apron that surrounds the fireplace opening. Brick, stone, tile or other non-combustible, heat-resistant material should be used to build the hearth. It should be of adequate size to catch any embers that pop out of the fire - approximately half a metre into the room and one quarter of metre on either side of the fireplace opening. Carpets, furniture, logs and kindling should be well outside of the hearth.

The chimney and fireplace themselves should rest on their own foundation rather than relying on the walls for support. Fluctuations in heat will cause the walls of the chimney and fireplace to expand and contract. If you notice any cracks in the flue lining, bricks or mortar, these should be repaired before the cracks begin to expand. Douglas fir, pine, cedar and other softwoods do not burn as hot as hardwoods and thus leave more soot and combustibles on the chimney lining. This can cause a chimney fire. For most of us, softwood is a less expensive option than burning maple, oak, cherry or other hardwoods so it is important to have the chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep regularly. If you have a fire once a week in the fall and winter, a yearly cleaning is a wise precaution. It will remove soot, creosote and obstructions.

All fireplaces should have a screen or better yet glass doors to contain embers. Tight-fitting glass doors can create pressure in the pit potentially causing an explosion. Newer designs have vents along the bottom and/or sides of the fireplace front panel to allow heat to dissipate into the room.

One thing many people don't realize is that they should never close the damper when there are hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can allow hot ashes to build up heat to the point where a fire could flare up and ignite the room. The main function of the damper is to provide air to fuel burning and to prevent the accumulation of poisonous or explosive gases.

A fireplace fire increases the oxygen requirement in a home by up to five times! That oxygen use in combination with modern energy efficient building methods that create tight seals can result in a build-up of poisonous colourless and odourless carbon monoxide fumes. It is essential to open a window or vent before lighting a fire.

A few more tips…
Ashes left over from a previous fire will be stirred up in a new fire, become airborne and add to the amount of sooty smoke that enters your home and lines your chimney with flammable residue. It's advisable to clean out ashes from the previous fire before lighting a new one.

In the spirit of recycling, ashes can be a good fertilizer for the garden - they are high in potassium, alkaline calcium and magnesium compounds. They are a particularly good for balancing acid soils.

Use only two or three logs at a time. Avoid "roaring" fires, which make create high pressure in the fireplace and add significant amounts of soot and creosote to the flue.

As tempting as it may be to dispose of some trash items in the fireplace, the gases that can be produced far outweigh the benefits. Many people throw advertising flyers into the fire, however, some coloured inks contain lead which when burned become airborne. Coal and polystyrene (Styrofoam) packaging can create excess heat and smoke.

Keep a fire extinguisher in the same room where you have a fireplace. It takes only a matter of seconds for a stray ember to ignite a fire that can burn out of control. The extinguisher should be stored no closer than 2 metres to the fireplace as heat can cause the container to explode.

Remember to be vigilant with a fire and keep an eye on it until it is completely extinguished. What a good excuse to wile away the hours in front of the fire!

Return to: Home Safety TIPS

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