October is the unofficial start of the holiday season. Coming up we have Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then Christmas all with about 30 days in between each. This means that your fireplace will become the centerpiece for all sorts of hand-made and store-bought decorations to fit the season; pine cones, wreaths, ribbons, stockings, candles, pumpkins, and the list goes on.
Before you get the crafting bug and go attack your mantelpiece, there are some safety considerations to know about first… Many decoration double as fire hazards when placed near a roaring fireplace, and to be on the safe side we recommend these tips for crafting responsibly:
- Have your fireplace swept and inspected by a professional chimney sweep like Black Goose at least once every year to ensure fireplace safety.
- Clean the firebox (the area where the logs burn) at least once a week during the months you use it, when ash builds up.
- Keep all combustible materials at least 3 feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces or candles.
- Opt for a wrought iron or glass decoration near the fireplace instead! These decorations won’t burn easily and add a rustic or modern feel to any home.
- Don’t place wrapped packages or gift boxes near the fireplace because they are highly combustible. And nothing quite ruins Christmas like finding out all the presents are slightly crispy.
- Keep an operable fire extinguisher nearby not only for possible fireplace mishaps but also in case your Christmas tree or other decorations combust.
When in doubt, try to minimally decorate your fireplace and instead use your crafts to spook-ify your front door or foyer! Leave the fake cobwebs and other flammable decorations for outside the house instead of next to the fireplace. And if you ever have question about holiday decorating safety tips, or chimney inspections and cleaning, call Black Goose Chimney at 757-596-2298.