Proper fireplace safety is paramount for enjoying your fireplace this winter. In order to enjoy your fireplace during the chilly Indianapolis fall and winter, you must safely prepare and start fires. Incorrectly starting your fire may result in a fire that does not like, is too smokey, or does not last, and may also be hazardous. In this post, we offer the best tips for safely starting a fire in your fireplace. 

Supplies You Need

It will be difficult to build a safe fire without proper supplies and materials. Prepare for fire-building by making sure you have all of the necessary supplies. What you may need for your fire is:

  • Kindling: You can use clean, dry pieces of wood or twigs as natural fire starters. 
  • Plain newspaper: Have uncoated, plain newspaper on hand to use as tinder. Never use glossy paper, cardboard, or garbage. 
  • Wood: Dry, seasoned wood is recommended for building a clean, long-lasting fire. 
  • Utensils: Wrought iron fireplace utensils like tongs, a shovel, and a brush will help you control your fire. 
  • Emergency kit: Never create a fire without emergency fire-extinguishing materials. Make sure they are not expired and kept nearby. 
  • Optional Supplies: You may want a grate to create better airflow under your logs. A screen or panel that covers your hearth opening is also a great safety option. 

Before Lighting Your Fire

Before lighting fires in your fireplace, there are some steps you must take to ensure your chimney and fireplace are safe to operate. You should make sure to check your chimney, especially chimney liners. The experienced team at Brick + Ember Outfitters is ready to perform a detailed chimney sweep and inspection to make sure your chimney and fireplace are clean and safe. 

Once you are sure your chimney and fireplace are fully functionally, you can prepare your fireplace. Clean the area around your fireplace, and make sure there are no flammable objects nearby. You should also clean the air in the room your fireplace is in to ensure it is free of flammable fumes and gases.

 

How to Light a Fire

After your fireplace and chimney are prepped, it is time to light your fire. Follow these easy steps to light your fire:

  1. Put two medium-sized pieces of hard, seasoned firewood on your metal grate. 
  2. Add your tinder (crumpled newspaper) between the wood, and then cover with kindling (small sticks and twigs).
  3. Add another one or two pieces of firewood on top, and make sure there is adequate ventilation. 
  4. Open your fireplace damper (vent).
  5. Establish a good draft in your chimney and warm up the flue by holding a lit piece of newspaper as high up as possible. 
  6. Next, light the tinder and kindling.
  7. Add firewood as needed, but be careful not to add too much wood. 

Using the simple steps above, you can safely start fireplace fires all winter long. For more fireplace and chimney care tips and tricks, be sure to follow our blog. Prepare your fireplace and chimney for safe use with B+E. Contact us at 317-500-1250 or OFFICE@BRICKANDEMBER.COM to schedule your professional chimney sweep or for chimney and fireplace maintenance and repair so you can safely burn fires in your fireplace this season.

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