It seems that no day of the year is free of some national designation. For instance, October features National Boyfriend Day, National Walk to School Day and National Fried Scallops Day — all in its first week. (Yes, evidently fried scallops deserve their own “Day”). That said, the fact that October is National Fireplace Month is not some Hallmark conspiracy. The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association declared October to be National Fireplace Month in order to raise awareness about fireplace safety measures and regular maintenance. Your Brick + Ember Outfitters feel that fireplace safety is worth celebrating, so the following are some of our simple safety tips to practice this month and year-round.

  • Keep the area around your fireplace clear to prevent flammable objects from igniting.
  • Have the chimney of your fireplace inspected annually and regularly swept to prevent flue fires and other problems. Contact Brick + Ember Outfitters to set up a sweep before the cold weather sets in.
  • Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near your fireplace as a precautionary measure.
  • Be sure the damper and fireplace doors are open when burning a fire.
  • Install a safety barrier or screen to reduce risk of embers flying and burns, especially to animals and young children.
  • Never leave a fire unattended.

Fireplace safety affects many people. More than half of all homeowners have some type of fireplace, stove or insert, and almost 40% use those daily in the winter. We hope these simple reminders prove useful to you and your neighbors. Celebrate October by enjoying your fireplaces — safely.