Fireplace Safety & Tips

Fireplace Safety Checklist

• Start the season with a clean chimney.
• Make sure the chimney damper is open to let smoke escape.
• Remove all combustible material such as baskets,decorations, kindling, firewood, etc. from the vicinity of your fireplace or wood stove, keeping all such items at least 36" away.
• Use a fireplace screen that is large enough to completely cover the fireplace opening for spark protection. A fireplace screen will also help to keep children and pets safely away from the fire.
• Use a heavy duty grate, and stack the fire to avoid logs rolling out of the fireplace during burning use.
• Have fireproof gloves, a tool set and a covered ash bucket on the hearth and ready for use.

• Never use gas or flammable materials to "freshen up" a fire.
• Test your smoke detectors, and install fresh batteries.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in public areas on each floor of your home, such as hallways.
• Never burn colored paper such as magazines or wrapping paper. Don't burn plastics; never burn painted, stained or treated wood - the fumes are poisonous. Don't use your fireplace as an incinerator to burn pizza boxes, Christmas trees or stacks of paper or cardboard.
• Don't leave the fireplace unattended while wood is burning.
• Keep the top of your woodpile covered; wet wood is harder to light, creates more smoke and makes your chimney dirty!

Beyond Fireplace Safety - Furnace & Water Heater Maintenance

Typically, 44% of your energy dollars are used to heat and cool your home. Annual maintenance is important to achieve peak efficiency and keep your family safe.

• Have your furnace cleaned and serviced before the heating season to improve efficiency and save energy dollars. Annual maintenance can alert you to impending service problems that can be corrected before cold weather sets in.
• Chimneys serving gas and oil furnaces and water heaters also need to be checked annually; the furnace technician does not inspect or clean the chimney.
• When it comes time to replace your system, be sure to get the highest efficiency equipment possible. Newer, high-efficiency systems will normally require a new chimney liner suitable for the type of appliance being installed. We offer expert chimney lining installation and will recommend the right grade of liner to provide optimum heating from your new furnace system.
• Gas appliance connectors (the flexible, corrugated metal gas tubing) should be inspected;they can be hazardous due to deterioration, excessive movement, bending, or corrosion. Connectors made 30-40 years ago are risky and should be replaced with higher grade, more durable components.
• Set water heater thermostats to 125 degrees or lower to prevent scalding.
• Keep the space around furnaces and water heaters clean and clear of build-up, rags, newspapers and other debris.
• Never store combustibles such as gasoline, aerosol can, paints, solvents, household cleaners, pool chemical or similar products near any fuel burning equipment.

Our fireplace safety checklist and chimney tips are designed to help you become a more informed consumer. Your safety is one of our biggest concerns.

Lindemann Chimney Service got started because we recognized the need for fireplace safety in the Chicagoland area and the northern suburbs. We serve the following communities and their surrounding areas.