Fireplaces cause roughly 25,000 house fires in the US each year. Most are preventable. A well-maintained chimney and sensible burning practices eliminate the vast majority of the risk. Here's what you need to know.
Annual Inspection and Cleaning
An annual chimney cleaning and inspection is the single most effective thing you can do for fireplace safety. It removes creosote before it reaches dangerous accumulation levels, catches developing problems while they're still minor, and gives you documented confirmation that the system is safe to use. Schedule before heating season — most New England chimney companies are fully booked through October, so September is the better bet.
Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Risk
Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and lethal at high concentrations. A cracked chimney liner, a blocked flue, or a backdrafting appliance can allow CO to accumulate in living spaces without any visible smoke or smell. You have no way to know if there's a CO problem without a detector.
Install combination smoke/CO detectors on every level of the home. In Massachusetts, CO detectors are legally required in any residential dwelling with fossil fuel combustion appliances. Place them within 10 feet of each sleeping area, at breathing height. Test them monthly and replace batteries annually.
Understanding Chimney Fires
Chimney fires burn inside the flue when accumulated creosote ignites. They can be dramatic — roaring sounds, visible flames from the top — or quiet, burning through a section of liner without the homeowner being aware. Both are serious. A chimney fire, even a small one, can crack clay tile liner sections and compromise the structural integrity of the flue. After any suspected chimney fire, stop using the fireplace immediately and schedule a Level 2 inspection before relighting.
Safe Burning Practices
Burn Properly Seasoned Wood
Seasoned firewood has been split and dried for at least 12 months — ideally 18–24. It has a moisture content below 20%. Wet or green wood burns cooler, produces more smoke, and generates significantly more creosote. Hardwoods like oak, ash, maple, and cherry are the best choice for New England winters: they burn hot, long, and clean.
Never Burn Trash or Treated Wood
Cardboard, painted or treated wood, plywood, and household waste all produce toxic gases and excessive creosote. Colored inks, adhesives, and chemical treatments create compounds that coat the flue quickly and are dangerous to breathe.
Use the Damper Correctly
Open the damper completely before lighting any fire and leave it fully open while the fire is burning. Partially closing the damper to conserve heat restricts airflow, increases smoke production, and creates ideal creosote-forming conditions. Only close the damper completely after the fire is fully extinguished and the firebox has cooled — a closed damper over a smoldering fire traps CO inside the house.
Warning Signs to Never Ignore
- Smoke entering the room, even occasionally
- A strong smell of smoke or exhaust when the fireplace is not in use
- Soot or black marks above the firebox opening
- Loud cracking or popping sounds from the chimney while burning
- White staining (efflorescence) on exterior chimney brick
- Water in the firebox or rust on the damper
- Your CO detector alarming near the fireplace
If your CO detector alarms, get everyone out immediately and call 911. Don't go back in until emergency responders clear the building. CO poisoning can be fatal within minutes at high concentrations.
Is Your Fireplace Ready to Use Safely?
An annual inspection is the foundation of fireplace safety. We serve all of New England — usually available within a few days.
Schedule a Safety Inspection