How To Safely Put Out A Fire

A cozy, warm fire in the fireplace of your Indianapolis home helps make the brutal winters a bit easier. There is no better feeling than gathering around the fire with a book, family, or friends during the winter season. Once you are done enjoying your fire for the evening you can not simply let it burn out. After using your fireplace, you must safely put out the fire. Doing so incorrectly poses a huge risk to your home and family. Here is how you can safely put out a fire in your wood-burning fireplace. 

1. Stop adding fuel. Once you decide it is close to the time you would like to put out your fire, you should not add any more fuel. This will make it much easier to put out the fire later. 
2. Next, you should use your fireplace poker to spread out the remaining wood and embers. This creates a flattened mound which will cool the fire. Only use a proper fireplace tool, not sticks or household items. 
3. After creating the mound, you should scoop the cool ash from the bottom of your fireplace and place it on top of the wood and embers. Use a fireplace shovel and repeat the process until your fire is extinguished. 
4. Lastly, apply a layer of baking soda. The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda is the same ingredient used in some fire extinguishers. You may also use sand, but baking soda tends to be a much cleaner method. 
5. Monitor your fireplace. Wait a few minutes and make sure the fire does not reignite. 
6. Wait for the ashes to cool completely. Once ashes are cool, you can use your fireplace scoop to remove excess ashes. Store them in a metal ash container, away from any combustible items. 

Why Not Use Water?

Follow the method above to extinguish fireplace fires. If it is an emergency, you may use water. Otherwise, you should avoid using water. Putting out your fireplace fire with water often causes excessive smoke and can result in steam burns. Additionally, it can damage the masonry with cracking and heaving. We recommend always having a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies so you can avoid the side effects of extinguishing with water. 

We can Help!

Keeping your fireplace and chimney in excellent shape will make it easier to safely extinguish fires. Schedule your inspection, maintenance, or repair with the Brick + Ember Outfitters of Indianapolis today! We will make sure your chimney and fireplace are as safe as possible and offer professional advice for using them effectively all winter long. Contact us at 317-500-1250 or OFFICE@BRICKANDEMBER.COM to set up your appointment today.