Thanksgiving should be a time for family and friends to reunite and enjoy the holiday season. It’s not the time to be messing with your chimney and fireplace. But that’s what can happen if you fail to take care of a few simple preparation tasks

Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps & Masonry Services of New Cumberland, PA, would like to share some helpful tips for chimney and fireplace safety this Thanksgiving.

Think safety with a fireplace screen and glass fireplace doors

If you don’t already have quality screen and fireplace doors, consider investing in them. A screen will help block flying sparks and embers that could injure guests and damage furnishings. Glass doors can be closed after the fire to prevent people, pets, and belongings from accidentally entering the firebox.

Make some room

It’s a good idea to keep furniture and other combustibles at a safe distance from the firebox throughout the year. This is even more important during the holidays if there will be a lot of guests walking back and forth in front of the fireplace. Give them space to move around without getting too close to the fire.

What to burn in your fireplace

You should burn only dry, cut firewood in your fireplace. Never burn packing material, furniture pieces, plastic containers, household trash, or other items. Non-firewood produces a lot of smoke, very high temperatures, and potentially dangerous fumes.

What to use to start a fire

To start a fireplace fire, use kindling and matches or an approved lighter. The wrong way is with lighter fluid, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal starter, or any high-powered accelerant. Liquid accelerants can flare up quickly, injuring people and damaging the fireplace.

Watch for these chimney fire signs

While you’re entertaining your Thanksgiving guests and enjoying the day, keep a mental eye out for signs of a chimney fire:

• An odd popping or ticking noise coming from the fireplace while it’s in use
• The sound of rumbling, like from a distant train
• Excess smoke coming from either end of the chimney

If you spot any of these signs, evacuate the house and call 911.

Schedule chimney sweeping before Thanksgiving

The majority of chimney fires start because of excess creosote in the flue—creosote forms when smoke condenses and is highly flammable and acidic.

Certified chimney sweeps possess the necessary tools and training to safely remove creosote from your chimney, thereby significantly reducing the risk of a chimney fire. Chimney sweeps also remove leaves, twigs, animal nests, and other debris that can block the flue, allowing smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to enter your home. A chimney inspection performed by a licensed chimney technician can alert you to minor problems, allowing you to address them before they escalate into significant issues. Basic annual chimney inspections cover all easily accessed parts of your chimney system, from the chimney cap and crown at the top to the chimney liner and fireplace damper farther down.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

The Anderson’s family would like to wish your family a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving this year. If you need to get your chimney and fireplace ready for the busy season, we’re always here to help.

Reach a chimney expert by phone or through our contact form.