Chimney and Fireplace Safety Tips for the Holidays

Guess what? The holidays are here. True, Halloween just ended, but Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it, and that means lighting up the fireplace to create the perfect ambiance for your holiday entertainment. But before you do, you must make sure your chimney and fireplace are safe and ready, because the memories you want to make this holiday season are good ones and not disasters. Here are our top tips for making your fireplace and chimney safe for the holidays.

Schedule a Professional Chimney Inspection

If you only do one thing this holiday season, make it this. Hire a certified chimney sweep to give your chimney a once-over. Pros can identify creosote buildup, structural issues, damaged liners, animal nests, moisture problems, and other issues that could put your family at risk. For example, creosote—an oily, tar-like byproduct of burning wood—can ignite at surprisingly low temperatures. Even a thin layer dramatically increases the risk of a chimney fire.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having chimneys inspected at least once a year. If you use your fireplace often, twice a year is best, just to be safe. A quick visit from a professional chimney sweep will give you peace of mind as you enter the holidays.

Only Use Dry, Seasoned Firewood

Many fireplace owners think wood is wood, so it’s all safe to burn. True, you can burn any wood, but wet or “green” wood produces more smoke, leading to faster creosote buildup. It also burns less efficiently and creates more soot. To ensure a clean, safe burn:

• Choose hardwoods like oak, maple, or hickory.
• Make sure the logs have been dried out for at least six months.
• Store wood off the ground, covered on top, and open on the sides for good airflow.

Don’t burn trash, cardboard, wrapping paper, or treated wood. These can emit toxic fumes and excessive smoke. Remember, it’s a fireplace, not a garbage disposal.

Always Use a Fireplace Screen

A sturdy metal screen or tempered glass door protects the floor from sparks and embers. Holiday decorations, dry Christmas trees, and gift wrap create a perfect storm for accidental ignition.

If you have young children or pets visiting this season, a screen keeps them a safe distance from the flames.

Clean the Area Around the Fireplace

The holidays can get messy—decorations, garlands, stockings, candles, lights, etc. It’s crucial, however, to keep these a safe distance from the fire, at least three feet. Stockings should never hang directly over the fire, even for a short time. All it takes is one errant ember or moment of overheating for fabric to ignite.

Create a safety zone around the fireplace and enforce it with kids and pets.

Check the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

This is easy, but often overlooked because of how busy we get during the holidays, but it’s essential. Working detectors save lives. Test all alarms before your first fire of the season and replace batteries immediately if needed.

If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector on each level of the house, the holidays are the right time to install them. Wood-burning appliances produce carbon monoxide, and a blocked or malfunctioning chimney can allow it to accumulate indoors.

Keep the Chimney in Good Shape

Chimney caps prevent water, snow, debris, and wildlife from entering the flue. In the winter, this is especially important. Birds and squirrels love setting up homes in chimneys, and their nests can block airflow or catch fire.

If you notice signs of moisture in the firebox, smell strong, musty odors, or hear scratching from above, you may have a damaged or missing cap. Get your chimney pro to check it during their inspection.

Clean Out Ashes

With all the holiday activity, it’s easy to let ashes build up in the fireplace. A small layer of ash can insulate hot coals, but too much limits airflow and makes the fire burn less efficiently. Remove ashes when they reach about an inch in depth. Place cooled ashes in a metal container with a tight lid and store it outdoors on a non-combustible surface, not on the porch, not in the garage, and definitely not near the house.

Don’t Leave the Fire Unattended

This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people think, “I’m only going to the store down the road. It’ll be fine.” Fires can escalate quickly, especially with extra foot traffic and decorations. Put out the fire before going out or to bed. Make sure embers are fully out, no glowing, no heat.

Let Motown Fire Get Your Chimney and Fireplace Holiday Ready!

Motown Fire is the go-to chimney and fireplace professional in the Metro Detroit area. We offer expert chimney services, like cleaning, inspection, and repairs. Plus, we’re your number one local source for gas fireplace sales and installations. Call us today to schedule a chimney cleaning and inspection and ensure your holidays are memorable for all the right reasons.