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When the winter season and cool weather arrives, families usually start thinking about using their fireplaces to help warm their home. While a roaring fire in the fireplace can be cozy, it can also be dangerous for those who neglect to take proper precautions before sitting in front of the flames. The Orange County Fire Authority would like to provide some fireplace safety tips that could help prevent a costly fire in your home.- Make sure your chimney has a spark arrestor. Every year the Orange County Fire Authority responds to several fires started by fireplaces without spark arrestors.
- Make sure your fireplace and chimney have been cleaned since the last winter season. Have the chimney inspected by a professional who can recommend repairs or cleaning.
- Always open the chimney flue or damper to allow smoke to get out. This also allows air to get to your fire so that it continues to burn brightly.
- Don t use kerosene or any other lighter fluid to make the flames burn more brightly--these substances will only coat the inside of your chimney.
- Don t try to burn trash of any kind in your fireplace. Any discarded material can give off potentially toxic fumes.
- Keep flammable materials away from your mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
- Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
- If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. Never break a synthetic log to increase the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
- Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the home.
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