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There’s nothing quite like gathering around a warm, cozy fireplace. However, before you light that first log, it’s important to ensure your fireplace is safe and ready for use. Here are some essential fireplace safety tips to keep in mind!

Clean Your Chimney

Start the season right by having your chimney cleaned. A clean chimney prevents dangerous creosote buildup, which can lead to chimney fires. Regular cleaning also ensures proper ventilation, keeping your home safe from harmful gasses.

Open the Damper or Flue

Always remember to open the damper or flue, which allows smoke to escape through the chimney, before lighting a fire. Forgetting this step can quickly fill your home with smoke and potentially dangerous fumes!

Check Your Detectors

Next, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they still have working batteries. You might also want to test them regularly to make sure they’re working properly.

Use a Fireplace Screen

If you don’t already have one, you might want to invest in a fireplace screen. This barrier prevents sparks and embers from escaping the fireplace and potentially igniting nearby flammable materials.

Don’t Overload the Firebox

While it might seem convenient to stuff the firebox full of logs all at once, this can actually be dangerous. Overloading can cause the fire to burn too hot, potentially damaging your fireplace or chimney. Instead, add logs occasionally as needed. This approach not only is safer but also allows for better fire management.

Manage Your Ashes

After each fire, clean out the ashes once they’ve cooled completely. Too much ash in your fireplace can cause more smoke. A good rule of thumb is to keep the level of ash at the base of the fireplace to one inch or less to avoid too much buildup and smoke.

By following these safety tips, you can enjoy the warmth and ambiance of your fireplace while keeping your home and family safe. Remember, a well-maintained fireplace is a safe fireplace.

We’re Here to Help

Whether you’re a longtime policyholder or just starting to look for insurance options, we’re here to help. If you have questions or concerns that you want to discuss, connect with your local OKFB agent today. If you have any insurance-specific questions, we would love to help you find the coverage that best meets your home, auto, commercial and life insurance needs.

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