One of the best ways to warm up this winter is to curl up by the fireplace with a good book. A fireplace adds a cozy touch to your home in colder weather, but if it's not maintained and used properly, it can pose a fire hazard.

Our real estate agents suggest the following fireplace maintenance and safety tips you need to know this winter:

1. Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned annually
   Creosote and soot – byproducts of fires that aren't burning efficiently – can build up and coat the inside of your chimney. Once this happens, these substances can catch fire. To prevent this from happening, call a professional to clean and inspect your chimney before using it this season.
   
   
2. Take care of ashes properly
   After using your fireplace, take care of the ashes properly, so a smoldering one doesn't start a fire. Don't vacuum them up because live coals can still remain and could cause a fire in your vacuum cleaner bag. Instead, remove them from the firebox by using the ash dump or scooping them out from the firebox once the ashes are cold. 
   
   
3. Use a non-flammable rug
   Buy a non-flammable rug – which you should be able to find at a fireplace supply store – to put in front of your fireplace. That way, if sparks fly out, they won't damage your carpet.
   
   
4. Protect your kids
   Never leave a fire unattended if you have children in the house. Now's the time for them to learn to stay away from the fireplace as well as the tools you use for it.
   
   
5. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
   Make sure you have enough working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. This will help your family stay safe in case of a fire or if there's a buildup of carbon monoxide – an odorless, clear, and tasteless toxic gas. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested monthly, and their batteries should be replaced annually.
   
   
6. Your fireplace should have a door
   Make sure your door has a tight-fitting door rather than a screen. A door will keep sparks inside the fireplace, while a screen may let some escape.
   
   
7. Check the flue or damper
   Before starting a fire, check your damper or flue to make sure it's open by looking up into your chimney with a flashlight or mirror. It should remain open to let smoke out of your house, so keep it that way until all the embers have stopped burning.
   
   
8. Use wood that's dry and well-aged
   Avoid using wet or green wood in your fireplace. These woods cause more smoke and make more soot build up in your chimney.
   
   
9. Keep the area around your fireplace clear
   Keep all flammable items – including draperies, newspapers, and furniture – away from your fireplace. If they get too close, they could catch fire from a sparking ember.
   
   
10. Never leave a fire unattended
    Never fall asleep or leave your home with a fire burning, even if it's just for a brief moment.
    
    
11. Keep a window cracked
    If you can, leave a window slightly cracked when you have a fire going. That way, you'll be keeping the room ventilated and give any smoke or gasses a chance to escape.

Contact us today at Napier ERA if you're interested in Richmond homes for sale. If a fireplace is on your list of must-have items for your new home, we can show you houses where one or more fireplaces creates a beautiful focal point.