Five log fire and chimney safety tips

A fireplace is a welcome addition to any home, with the glowing embers providing an orange light that can instil a sense of calm. Whilst fires can make us feel more relaxed, you must also remember that there are some very real dangers to remain aware of. Let’s discuss some safety tips for your log fires and chimney.

Old fireplaces

When purchasing a new home, you may be enticed by the existence of a fireplace; however, you must be careful to ascertain the age of the fireplace. Older fireplaces may have some modern safety features missing that can put you and your family at risk.

The hearth of a modern fireplace will have a concrete base, which helps to insulate the surroundings against the heat.

Fire hazards

Everyone knows that fire is dangerous and can harm you if you get too close. This advice also applies to furniture and decorations, and obviously to babies and pets that may be oblivious to the dangers of fire.

It is a requirement by law, as stated by HETAS, to have a minimum of 12mm of shielding if your open fire is on a wooden floor. You must also remove any carpets from beneath the fire, as these can ignite and pose a fire risk.

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

This may seem like basic advice but anyone with a fireplace should ensure that their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order; of course, every household should ensure these are working.

Use a metal log holder

It is recommended to keep your wood off the floor and away from your fireplace. A metal log holder is a great way to accomplish this; for example, you can  visit https://www.themetaltree.co.uk/ for metal log holders .

Use a fireguard

Something that all new fireplaces are required to have is a fireguard. This is placed in front of your fire and helps to protect your home from the sparks that can be emitted. There are three types of fireguard: spark, fire and nursery guards.

Spark guards are designed to stop sparks from landing on soft furnishings, while fire guards are generally larger than the opening of the fire also stop items falling in. Finally, nursery guards prevent people from getting too close to the fire.