In the midst of wrapping presents, attending parties and eating all the yummy holiday goodies, please take time out to make sure your fireplace will safely keep you, your family and friends cozy and toasty this winter.

In today’s marketplace, there are numerous types of fireplaces – wood, propane, natural gas, insert or electric fireplaces, whatever you have installed in your home, ALWAYS make sure on an annual basis that your fireplace will be safe to use.

Here are some tips that we like to share with our clients:

• Install a carbon monoxide detector and fire/smoke alarm in the room that houses the fireplace
  • Confirm these units are working properly on an annual basis
• If you are using a fireplace with a chimney, have a professional chimney sweep company inspect and clean it annually to confirm that the chimney is clear of debris
• Do not burn anything else in your fireplace
  • Burning garbage in your home can be toxic to your health
  • Only burn dry, cured wood in your wood burning fireplace
• If using a gas fireplace, make sure to check the glass fronts or doors for cracks, clean out the spider webs and dust.
  • Confirm the burner holes are not clogged
• Remember SAFETY FIRST- safety never takes a holiday!

By taking time out now to make sure your fireplace is in tip-top shape, you can avoid the winter blues when your fireplace doesn’t work safely.

Protecting your property is what we do best at Steely and Smith!

Reach out to us today, to see how we can help you protect your home, confirm you have the proper amount of coverage, and if damage would occur, we are here to help!

The Steely & Smith team would like to wish our clients Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2019! May you surround yourself with family and friends this holiday season!

Note: This is general in nature and should not be construed as professional insurance advice. You should work with your insurance agent to determine what will work best for your situation.