Outdoor Fireplace Safety
On brisk fall nights, there’s almost nothing better than cozying up to a beautiful outdoor fireplace for warmth and relaxation. If you’re considering, or have recently had an outdoor fireplace installed in Denver, you’ll be able to enjoy this unique feature on your property for years to come. You will also be able to relax worry-free as long as you keep in mind just a few tips from the pros.
What not to burn in your outdoor fireplace
When taking advantage of your outdoor fireplace installed in Denver, it’s important to remember what not to burn. You’ll definitely want to stay away from any treated lumber, any plastic material, particleboard furniture, old magazines, wood that has been painted, poisonous plants, wood that hasn’t been seasoned, and household garbage. One of the main reasons many of these items fall on the do not burn list is because of the chemicals they contain that become toxic when burning- which is harmful to both humans and the environment.
Keep your outdoor fireplace clean
Just like an indoor fireplace, an outdoor fireplace with a chimney must also be cleaned regularly by an experienced chimney sweep to maintain proper function. You should also regularly remove all the leftover debris and ash from previous fires, and at least once per year, use warm soapy water to clean the interior of the fireplace to remove built-up soot. Keeping your fireplace clean will mean it will continue to burn warm, bright, and with minimal smoke well into the future.
Keep other flammable items away
When operating your outdoor fireplace, it’s important to keep flammable items far away from it. The worst thing that could happen would be to have flames and fire move from inside the fireplace where they’re contained, to the exterior of your home where they could cause catastrophic damage in no time flat. Also be sure to keep any trees, greenery, and shrubs growing near the fire pit or fireplace, well-trimmed at least several feet away from the fire.
Keep water close by
Anytime you’re dealing with fire, an ounce of prevention is the smart way to go. Be sure you always have water or a quick water source on-hand anytime you’re enjoying a fire. In the event the fire takes a menacing turn, you can be quick to react and prevent any major accidents from occurring.
