It won’t be long until Santa suits up, feeds the reindeer, and loads all the toys for the good boys and girls onto his sled for his annual journey. Christmas is one of the most festive and enjoyable holidays with many homeowners going all out to decorate their homes inside and out.
The fireplace is an iconic holiday fixture that people love to decorate. Stockings, garlands, thinking lights, and other festive accouterments can turn your fireplace into a decorative showpiece that everyone talks about.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated average of 790 home fires are ignited when decorations catch fire.
The last thing anybody wants is for their holiday of good cheer to become a disastrous nightmare. This blog post shows you how to create a beautiful holiday hearth while ensuring you, your family, and home stay safe.
The most important thing to consider when decorating the fireplace is using flame-resistant or non-combustible materials. Most retailers sell fire-resistant stockings, wreaths, and other decorations specifically for fireplaces. Also, fibers like wool and polyester are less likely to ignite compared to natural fibers like cotton or linen. If you want to use candles in your fireplace decor, play it safe and use LED candles. True, they’re not authentic, but they cut down the risk of something catching fire.
A general rule is to keep combustible materials at least three feet away from the fireplace opening. This includes stockings, garlands, and ribbons. If you want to hang stockings above the fireplace, consider using a removable stocking holder you can take down when the fireplace is in use.
If you’re hanging decorations directly on the mantel, choose heat-resistant adhesives, clips, or hooks that can withstand high temperatures. Regular adhesives can melt or lose grip, causing decorations to fall close or into the fire.
Secure large, heavy items like artwork, mirrors, or wreaths to the wall instead of trying to attach them to the mantel. This prevents them from tipping over because of accidental bumps or vibrations.
Twinkling holiday lights are an excellent way to add more charm and Christmas atmosphere to the fireplace, but they come with their own safety concerns. LED lights are the safest to use because they stay cool to the touch and are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
Be sure to inspect light strands for frayed wires, broken bulbs, and loose connections before using them.
Before making that first fire for the season, it’s crucial for your safety and the fireplace’s performance to get the chimney cleaned by a certified chimney sweep. Creosote buildup in the flue is the number one cause of chimney fires. Experts recommend yearly chimney cleaning and inspection to ensure safety.
Fireplace screens are excellent for preventing sparks and embers from shooting out into the room and potentially causing a fire. Screens can protect young children and pets from getting too close and getting burned.
You might not go full Clark Griswold with the outdoor decorations, but many people go overboard with their fireplaces. An overcrowded mantel increases the risk of items falling into the fire. Remember that less is more for decorating. Aim for tasteful, cohesive decorations instead of throwing everything you have onto the fireplace.
It’s easy to get distracted during the holidays, especially when you have a house full of guests. However, if you’re using the fireplace, being vigilant about safety is crucial. Never leave a burning fireplace unattended. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, nominate someone to be on “fire watch”. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and ensure everyone in the house knows how to use it.
Call Chimney Solutions and schedule your chimney cleaning and inspection to ensure your home stays cozy and safe this holiday season.
