Safety Tips For Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel

Whether you’re adding spooky spider webs for Halloween, leaves and turkeys for Thanksgiving, or snowmen and reindeer for Christmas, decorating your fireplace mantel can be a fun activity for any holiday! That being said, it’s important to keep some safety tips in mind to avoid potential damage and unsafe situations.

Fortunately, the team here at SirVent Chimney & Venting Service is here to offer advice and guidance to help homeowners avoid a catastrophe this holiday season. Check out these tips for decorating your mantel in the upcoming months.

BE CAUTIOUS WITH FLAMMABLE DECOR

A lot of holiday decorations are flammable, so it’s important to keep them a safe distance from any potential flames. On this same note, do not intentionally burn any old decorations, wrapping paper pieces, garbage, old boxes, or similar items in your fireplace, as these items all encourage the build up of creosote, which is known for triggering chimney fires.

It’s also important to keep your tree, as well as any gifts, away from the fireplace. The needles and sap in live trees are very flammable, and it’s not worth taking any risks! If you choose to buy a fake tree, make sure it is fire-resistant to reduce the chances of a house fire. If you do buy a live tree, never burn it in the fireplace at the end of the season as this, too, encourages creosote to accumulate.

EXTRA STEPS FOR PROTECTING YOUR HOME

Since fireplaces are put to use more often during the holiday season, it’s important to keep fire safety tips in mind throughout your burning period. For example, ensure that all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are equipped with new batteries and working properly, as these devices could make all the difference in getting everyone out of the house safely.

Also, if you have a wood-burning fireplace, be cautious when disposing of ashes. Be sure you’re storing them in a metal bucket and on a non-flammable surface for at least a few days until all embers are definitely extinguished. Along with this, be certain everyone knows at least two ways out of the home, should a fire occur, and practice potential escape plans to ensure everyone is ready in case of an emergency.

SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION WITH US TODAY

One of the biggest steps you can take to keep your home protected is to invest in regular fireplace care. By scheduling an inspection every year with a CSIA certified chimney sweep, you can spot any build up or damage well ahead of time and have it addressed before the holidays really kick off.

Have you gotten your inspection on the books yet? If not, count on our team to help you out. We offer level 1, 2 and 3 inspections, so we’ll have you covered, no matter what your fireplace needs are. Give us a call today to set something up!

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