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Have your fireplace inspected
annually and cleaned when necessary by a professional chimney sweep. A dirty
fireplace can cause chimney fires and inhibit proper venting of smoke up the
flue.
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Clear the area around the
hearth. Debris too close to the fireplace could cause a fire. Check the flue
for obstructions and trim overhanging branches or large trees near the chimney.
Keep Christmas stockings and holiday decorations away from the firebox when the
fireplace is in use.
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Always use a fireplace
screen. Use a metal, mesh fireplace screen. Leave glass doors open while
burning a fire - unless fireplace manufacturers' instructions indicate
otherwise.
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Never overload the fireplace
with too many logs. Don't use the fireplace as an incinerator, and never burn
garbage, Christmas trees, or glossy magazine paper. Be careful not to add too
much firewood. In a fireplace, keep the top of the flames visible below the
fireplace opening. In a woodstove, keep the flames confined to the woodstove
itself.
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Keep a fire extinguisher on
hand and place smoke detectors throughout the house. Test the smoke detectors
and batteries regularly. Teach all the family members to operate the fire
extinguisher. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in rooms that have
a fireplace.
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When building a fire, place
logs at the rear of the fireplace, on an adequate supporting grate.
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Never leave a fire
unattended. Be sure the fire is extinguished before you go to bed. Never leave
children unsupervised near the fireplace.
