A fireplace is a lovely addition to any home and one that invokes images of cozy, romantic nights in front of a beautiful blaze. Keeping your fireplace and chimney clean is vitally important in regards to safety, though, and Charlie’s Chimney Sweeps and Masonry have the knowledge to keep you safe. They've been providing the Cincinnati area with outstanding chimney and fireplace cleaning and repair services since 1996.

Check out the chimney sweep company’s best safety tips so you may enjoy your fireplace without issue:

• Flammable Materials: Keep all furniture, draperies, clothing, and other flammable materials away from your fireplace at all times. Make sure your children and pets know to stay away from the fire as well.
• Fireplace Glass: Remember that the protective fireplace glass partition gets hot very quickly and should not be touched during use. Fireplace screens are often the safer option, although they get hot as well.

• Chimney Cleaning: Have your chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year. Schedule a cleaning before using your fireplace for the first time each season, as your chimney sweep will remove all built-up creosote and subsequently ensure proper airflow. Creosote is either black or brown, and may be crusty, flaky, tar-like, or shiny in appearance. Highly combustible, creosote is the natural byproduct of burning wood and must be removed regularly to avoid clogging the chimney or causing a house fire.
• Seasoned Hardwoods: Burn seasoned hardwoods to reduce creosote buildup and the risk of chimney fire.

If a chimney fire does occur in your home, place a fire extinguisher in the fireplace and allow the nozzle to spray up the chimney before closing the room's door and vacating your home. This should be done only if possible, as getting all family members and pets out of the house is the top priority before calling the fire department.

For more on chimney cleaning, fireplace repair, and other services available through Charlie’s Chimney Sweeps and Masonry, please call (513) 553-0229 or visit the website today.