Using Your Fireplace Safely
Kachi Realty
Using Your Fireplace Safely
Using Your Fireplace Safely
A fireplace is a great feature in any home, and can create that warm, homey feeling on a cold winter evening that every homeowner dreams of. Whether you have a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace, there are a few important precautions you should take and safety measures to follow every time you use your fireplace.
Keep The Fire Contained
Especially if you have an older home, you should verify that the fireplace and hearth are up to code. The hearth is required to be a certain size to prevent sparks or embers from the fire hitting the carpet or wood floors and starting a fire. You should also ensure that you have appropriate metal doors or a mesh curtain that will keep the fire and any sparks inside the fireplace itself.
Keep anything flammable away from the fireplace, including paper, blankets, furniture, or anything else that could easily catch fire. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, keep the wood in a spot where a stray spark or ember won’t reach it. The same goes for kindling or anything you use to start the fire.
Maintaining The Fireplace And Chimney
In a wood-burning fireplace, a substance known as creosote can build up on the inside of the chimney, putting you at risk for a dangerous chimney fire. Every year before the winter season begins, you should have a professional chimney sweep clean out your chimney. They should also inspect everything to ensure your fireplace is functioning properly. Be sure to clean out ashes and soot from the fireplace regularly; this is recommended every time you use it.
Even with a gas fireplace there is some maintenance to consider. You should have a chimney sweep perform a yearly inspection and cleaning of the inside of your fireplace, especially in hard to reach places like the fan. They should also make certain that the gas lines and ignition switch are working properly.
Fireplaces And Children
If you have children, use caution with your fireplace. Never leave a child unattended in a room with a lit fireplace. Be certain that lighters and matches are always kept well out of reach. Before you start the fire burning season, sit down with your children and discuss the safety rules for the fireplace, making sure they understand the dangers.
Your fireplace can provide warmth and ambience, and will serve you well for a long time as long as you take care of it. Keep up on maintenance and ensure that everything is safe and up to code before you use your fireplace.
Useful Information from Kachi Realty LLC
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WAYS TO GO GREEN IN THE KITCHEN Start a garden. Whether you opt for a full-out vegetable garden or a small window of fresh herbs, the taste of freshness will be unmistakable! Shop locally! Visit local farmers markets or choose locally produced produce whenever possible. Bring your own bags when you visit the grocery store. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. Save time and energy by cooking a double portion and setting half aside in the freezer for a quick meal at a later date. Get energized and leave the appliances alone. Whenever possible, mix and beat ingredients by hand, cook multiple items at the same time, and avoid washing dishes unnecessarily. Use energy-efficient appliances such as the slow cooker or toaster oven, which can use up to 30% less energy. Be aware of energy wasters such as excessive pre-heating or simmering. Ditch the wraps (such as saran wrap or foil) and make the switch to reusable containers for lunches and leftovers. Put a lid on it! Did you know that cooking with lids could save up to three times the energy? Keep all that steam inside the pot for a more energy-efficient (and faster!) meal. Go fresh—say goodbye to excessively packaged foods, which are often produced using processes that are harmful to the environment. Cooking meals from scratch using fresh ingredients is not only healthier, it’s often less expensive and better for the environment. Decide what you are looking for before you open the fridge, and never keep the door open longer than absolutely necessary.
Water Features For Your Yard A water feature can make a major change in your yard, and there are plenty of different ways to go about adding one. From a simple and small fountain to a koi pond or waterfall, you can use water to create a peaceful sense of a real escape from life in your yard. Small Water Features For small yards or for those looking to add something simple, a basic fountain is easy to add. They come in a variety of types, shapes, and sizes and can fit into any landscaping. Your fountain can be a centerpiece for the yard or can be placed near the patio. You can even get a small tabletop fountain for the patio table. Most fountains are easy enough to install by yourself. They use a pump system that circulates the water and keeps the fountain running. Follow all of the instructions for set-up, use, and care that come with the fountain and you can enjoy the sound of trickling water for many years to come. Adding A Pond A pond is a really eye-catching and special addition to any yard. You will need some space for it, but even smaller yards can manage one. Koi ponds are a very popular choice, as the fish are lovely and create an ambience in the yard. They fit in well with any sort of Japanese or other Asian landscape design, but really extend into other styles as well. Make sure your pond has a system for keeping the water circulating and clean; standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and it can get quite dirty over time. It’s best to have a professional install the water system for your pond. Waterfalls You may not be able to have Niagara Falls in your yard to enjoy, but you can get a waterfall added as a feature of your yard. These can be falls that descend over a rock wall, a small stream that runs over consecutive drops in a sloped yard, or something in a corner where water falls down into a small pond. A waterfall adds the sound of moving water to the air all the time. Be sure you have proper drainage for the water system. Water features are a beautiful addition to any yard, and your imagination is really the only limit. Many professionals can help you to design the water feature that is right for your yard and your needs.