Imagine yourself all cozy and comfortable near your chimney fires caused by improper fireplace-handling can be prevented. The tips below will help you secure your properties and family from accidental fires:

• Select the right fire logs.
Although hardwoods and softwoods can be used for indoor fireplaces, fire logs are often better and more efficient. However, since logs are cylindrical it is always advisable to make sure that you arrange the iron and the grate properly so as to keep the logs from rolling out the fireplace. As substitute to real fire logs, artificial fire logs are also available. But remember that artificial fire logs burns longer than real ones, so burn one log at a time and only add another log when it almost runs out.

• Control the Fire
Start a fire enough for your fireplace’s size. DO NOT make big blazing fires because fires that are too large are dangerous. Big fires also heats-up the chimney too much which can result to cracks. Besides, making big fires only wastes wood and fuel. You can control the fire by using enough wood.
Also avoid getting your fire near any flammable liquid. More importantly, DO NOT use flammable liquids like gasoline, polystyrene packaging, colored and/or glossy paper and the like; these materials emit toxic gases and excessive smoke which is not good for your health.

• Keep Proper Ventilation
Oxygen keeps the fire alive so give your fireplace some. Keep the glass fireplace screens open and close the damper, since it controls the draft and thus the air through your fireplace. Closed dampers keep the warm air inside once the fire in your fireplace has been completely extinguished.
Remember to close the damper only when all the fire is gone, closing the damper cuts off the oxygen which gives life to fire, and when the fire is extinguished pre-maturely it produces excessive smoke into your house. Closing that would also increase the chance for carbon monoxide to enter the home. Therefore keep your damper open while fire is burning. As a safety measure, install a smoke carbon monoxide/smoke detector in the room.

• Secure Your Fireplace
Regularly check your chimney for cracks, loose bricks or other signs of deterioration. Hire a chimney sweep duly certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America or other agencies specializing on fireplace safety. Chimney sweeps can maintain your fireplace and chimney for you if you don’t know how to do it yourself.

Install accessories to keep your fireplace safe for kids. Keep flammable away from children’s reach and most especially, away from fireplaces. Have a fire extinguisher close to your fireplace. Make sure you have a working fire alarm system in your house too.

• Put Out the Fire
DO NOT forget to completely put-out the fire before you sleep or before you leave the fireplace unattended. Accidental fires often result from unattended fireplaces. Wait for the ash tp cool or pour water to it.