A fireplace can provide warmth on a cold winter evening, but if not maintained and operated properly it can become deadly. Keep your family safe by following these suggestions.

Fireplace safety tips:

• Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned annually by a certified professional.
• Always use a fireplace screen.
• Clear the area around the fireplace and chimney of books, newspapers, magazines and other potentially flammable materials.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home, maintain them properly and test them monthly.
• Use fireplace tools to tend the fire.
• Keep small children away from the fireplace.
• Keep a fire extinguisher available nearby.
• Never burn trash, cardboard boxes or debris in your fireplace.
• Never use flammable liquids to start a fireplace fire.
• Place logs at the rear of the fireplace.
• Never overload the fireplace.
• Stack firewood outside at least 30 feet from your home.
• Keep the top of the chimney free of debris and clear of tree limbs.
• Place fireplace ash outside your home in a non-combustible container and away from any structure to prevent embers from setting fire to nearby flammable materials in your house or garage.