Category Archives: Tips & Safety

Lower Your Energy Bill by Heating Your Home with a Fireplace

As winter swings into full force and thermometers dip past the freezing point, your home will need some help to stay warm. Most homeowners turn to their central air to keep things comfortable, but that can come with extreme costs – especially for larger homes. If you want to stay nice and toasty without the […]

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Childproofing a Fireplace to Protect Your Family & Home

Your fireplace is a warm and inviting part of your home, especially as the temperature drops. But it’s no place for children to play. The hard hearth and firebox pose unique risks to infants and toddlers – from scrapes to chemicals. Just like any parent will lock a cabinet with cleaning supplies or a toolbox […]

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Don’t Ignore These Common Signs of Chimney Damage!

Your chimney is an important part of your home and fireplace. If it can’t function correctly, your safety is at risk. Some of the signs of chimney damage may appear to be benign wear-and-tear to the untrained eye. A damaged chimney can lead to moisture problems, chimney fires and even the possibility of carbon monoxide […]

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Signs That You’ve Had a Chimney Fire

Over 20,000 chimney fires happen on average every year. Despite this, many homeowners don’t even realize it until they have a chimney inspection. You may have had one in your home without realizing it. But what is a chimney fire and how do you know if your chimney has had one? Learn the signs and […]

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What Is Creosote & What Makes Creosote Dangerous?

Temperatures are dropping and many homeowners are starting to think about their fireplaces for the cold season. But if they haven’t had their chimney cleaned recently, there may be a hidden danger lurking in the deepest reaches of their flues: creosote. What is creosote? It’s a dangerous byproduct that comes from burning wood and stays […]

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Proper Storage for Firewood: Best Practices & Tips

A good fire is impossible to achieve without good firewood. Since freshly cut, green wood isn’t ready for the fireplace, you need to know how to properly store your logs. Storage for firewood isn’t as simple as it may seem. If you don’t store it correctly, you could expose it to infestations, rot and increased […]

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Fireplace Safety Tips: Things You Should Never Burn in a Fireplace

Your wood-burning fireplace is built for one thing: wood. It’s in the name! However, many use their fireplace as an easy way to get rid of boxes, bottles or other trash. Not only is this bad for your fireplace, it can lead to long-term health issues for anyone that breathes in the byproducts. Read through […]

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What Causes Fireplace Back-Puffing? How Can I Prevent It?

There are few things as relaxing as sitting next to roaring fire. That is, of course, assuming you aren’t startled by a sudden, audible bang with a cloud of soot and smoke filling your room. If you’ve never experienced this, count yourself lucky! Whenever your appliances – from fireplaces to stoves – push their smoke […]

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Water in Chimneys & Fireplaces: Warning Signs & Prevention

Chimneys are a necessary bridge between your home and the outside. Without it, smoke and vapor from your fireplaces or appliances wouldn’t be able to escape, leading to health hazards and other dangers. The most common concern? Moisture. Experts know the risks of water in chimneys or fireplaces, but do you? Read on to learn […]

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Fireplace Safety FAQ: Can I Cook in My Fireplace?

If you’re thinking of innovative ways to spice up your meals, you may be wondering, “can I cook in my fireplace?” The simple answer is that, in most cases, you can! If you’re a fan of the outdoors, you may already be familiar with open-fire cooking. Many of these skills translate perfectly into cooking with […]

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