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Chimney & fireplace safety tips for every home.

Fire prevention, carbon monoxide awareness, kid and pet protection, storm preparation, and clear steps for deciding when to stop using the fireplace and call for help.

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Pre-Burn Checks

Before You Light a Fire

  • Review the fireplace or appliance instructions and any available chimney service history

  • If the chimney condition or service history is unknown, do not use it until a qualified professional has assessed it

  • Open the damper fully and confirm it stays open

  • Look from the ground for a missing cap, loose masonry, storm damage, or an obvious obstruction; never climb onto the roof to check

  • Remove excess cold ash according to the appliance instructions

  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and follow their manufacturer placement guidance and local requirements

  • Keep an appropriate fire extinguisher accessible and know when to leave and call 911 instead of attempting to fight a fire

  • Move fabric, paper, decorations, and other combustibles outside the clearance specified for the fireplace or appliance

Active-Burn Safety

While the Fire Is Burning

  • Always use a fireplace screen, even with glass doors

  • Never leave a fire unattended, especially with kids or pets in the home

  • For a wood-burning system, use dry seasoned firewood; never burn trash, treated or painted wood, or packaging

  • Never use gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to start or boost the fire

  • If smoke enters the room, stop using the fireplace; if there is immediate danger, leave the home and call 911

  • Do not overload the firebox or operate the system outside its manufacturer instructions

  • Keep the damper open while flames or hot embers remain

  • Keep children and pets outside the hot zone around the hearth and screen

Cool-Down Protocol

After the Fire Goes Out

  • Treat ashes as hot until they are completely cold; hidden embers can remain dangerous after the fire appears out

  • Store ashes in a metal container with a tight lid, away from the house and any combustibles

  • Never place warm ash in cardboard, plastic, paper, or an ordinary garbage container

  • Close the damper only after the fire is fully out and the ashes are cold

  • Do not vacuum ash unless it is completely cold and the equipment is designed for ash

  • Look for new cracks, loose components, staining, or unusual odors before the next use

  • If smoke, unusual heat, or fire continues after you believe the fire is out, leave and call 911

  • Request professional service when soot or creosote is visible, performance changes, or the service history is uncertain

Red Flags

Warning Signs Your Chimney Is Telling You

  • Smoke backing into the room when the fireplace is in use

  • Strong campfire or burnt smell from the fireplace when unlit

  • Black soot deposits around the firebox opening

  • Visible cracks in the brick or stone chimney structure

  • White efflorescence staining on exterior chimney bricks

  • Rust on the damper or any firebox metal component

  • Water stains on ceilings near the chimney chase

  • Loud cracking or rumbling from the flue during a fire: leave the home and call 911

CO Protection

Carbon Monoxide Safety

  • CO is odorless, colorless, tasteless: you cannot detect it without a detector

  • Possible symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness

  • Blocked or damaged chimneys can back up CO into living spaces

  • Install carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer instructions and local requirements

  • Test and replace alarms and batteries according to the manufacturer instructions

  • Never ignore an alarm or silence it to continue using the fireplace

  • If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or anyone has possible exposure symptoms, leave immediately and call 911 from outside

Storm Prep

Storm & Severe-Weather Safety for Chimneys

  • From the ground, look for a loose or missing chimney cap and arrange service before severe weather when damage is visible

  • Trim overhanging branches that could fall on the chimney in tropical-storm and hurricane winds

  • Photograph visible chimney conditions before and after severe weather if it is safe to do so

  • After severe weather, walk the perimeter only when conditions are safe and look for a shifted cap, cracked exterior, loose masonry, or roof damage near the chase

  • Check interior ceilings near the chimney chase for water staining after wind-driven rain

  • Do not use a chimney that shows storm damage until it has been professionally assessed

  • Keep away from leaning masonry, fallen material, electrical hazards, and damaged roof areas; call 911 for immediate danger

  • For an active chimney leak, call (754) 328-2421 and describe where and when water appeared

Kids & Pets

Six fireplace safety habits for homes with kids and pets.

1

Fireplace screen at all times

Use a compatible fireplace screen and follow the fireplace manufacturer’s safety instructions, especially with children or pets in the home.

2

Hearth gate for crawlers

A suitable barrier can help limit a child’s access to hot glass, masonry, and the hearth area.

3

Lighter and match storage

Store matches, lighters, and other ignition sources securely and out of children’s reach.

4

No tools or pokers within reach

Store fireplace tools where children cannot reach or pull them down when the tools are not in use.

5

Pet supervision near the hearth

Dogs and cats sleep close to warmth. Make sure your pet cannot brush against an active screen.

6

Glass door cool-down warning

Fireplace glass and masonry can remain dangerously hot after the fire goes out. Keep people and pets away until every surface is cool.

Safety FAQ

Chimney safety questions, answered.

How can I prevent a chimney fire?
Use only the fuel the system is designed for, never use liquid accelerants, keep the fire attended, and stop using the fireplace when you notice smoke backup, unusual sounds, visible damage, or heavy deposits. If the chimney condition or service history is uncertain, arrange a professional assessment before using it.
Where should I put carbon monoxide detectors in a home with a fireplace?
Follow the alarm manufacturer instructions and applicable local requirements for placement, testing, batteries, and replacement. If an alarm sounds, or anyone has headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, or confusion, leave the home immediately and call 911 from outside.
Is it safe to burn a fire in my fireplace year-round?
Use the fireplace only when the chimney and appliance are in suitable condition and the system is operated according to its instructions. Long periods without use can still allow moisture, debris, or animal activity, so unknown condition is a reason to request an assessment before lighting a fire.
What kind of wood is safe to burn in a fireplace?
For a wood-burning fireplace, use dry seasoned firewood that is appropriate for the appliance. Do not burn treated or painted lumber, manufactured wood products, trash, packaging, or driftwood. Gas appliances should use only the fuel and components specified by their manufacturer.
How can I tell if I have a chimney fire happening right now?
Possible signs include loud cracking or rumbling, a roaring sound, dense smoke, or flames from the chimney top. Do not stay inside to investigate or attempt roof access. Leave the home and call 911. Do not use the chimney again until emergency responders say the area is safe and the system has been professionally evaluated.
What is creosote and why is it dangerous?
Creosote is combustible residue created by wood smoke. It can collect in the flue and increase chimney-fire risk. Visible deposits, strong smoky odors, changed draft, or unknown service history are reasons to stop and arrange a qualified assessment rather than trying to diagnose or remove deposits yourself.
Are gas fireplaces safer than wood-burning fireplaces?
They have different risks. Wood systems can accumulate combustible deposits; gas systems can have fuel, combustion, venting, and carbon monoxide hazards. Operate either system according to its instructions, keep alarms working, and request qualified service when performance changes or the condition is uncertain.
My CO detector keeps going off near my fireplace. What should I do?
Leave immediately with every person and pet, then call 911 from outside. Do not re-enter to inspect the fireplace or silence the alarm. Follow emergency-responder instructions before returning or arranging any later chimney or appliance service.
How do I make my fireplace safe for kids and pets?
Use a suitable screen or barrier, supervise the fire continuously, lock away matches and lighters, keep tools out of reach, and keep children and pets away from the hearth. Glass, metal, and masonry can remain hot after visible flames are gone, so maintain the barrier until every surface is cool.
What should I do to prep my chimney for storm season?
Before severe weather, address visible loose components and trim hazardous branches through the appropriate qualified provider. After the storm, inspect only from a safe location and do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Stop using a visibly damaged chimney. Call 911 first for fire, carbon monoxide, collapse, or another immediate danger.
How often should I have my chimney inspected for safety?
Follow the appliance manufacturer, applicable code, insurer, and qualified professional guidance for your specific system. Arrange an assessment sooner when the service history is unknown, after a chimney fire or severe storm, or when you notice smoke backup, water entry, damaged masonry, unusual odors, or changed performance.
What should I do if I smell smoke when the fireplace is not lit?
Possible causes include residue, moisture, downdraft, or an obstruction. Do not assume the source from odor alone. Avoid using the fireplace and request a professional assessment, especially when the smell is new, strong, or accompanied by staining, debris, smoke, or an alarm.

Related Resources

More chimney guides.

Chimney Inspection ChecklistSeasonal Chimney TipsCommon Chimney ProblemsSigns You Need ServiceWhy Choose UsActive Chimney Leak HelpGas Fireplace ServicesWood Fireplace ServicesAll Chimney ServicesVisual Chimney Guide

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