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Contents » Lodi experts offer tips for home buyers » Mauchline souvenirs now rediscovered as collectables » Make your home environmentally friendly with eco-tips » Get on top of roofing issues before they’re on top of you » Look for new ways to add style, substance to tour home » Easy tips for fireplace safety can prevent injuries » Easy-to-use organic fertilizers have special benefits » Interim renting could be necessary between moves » There are many easy ways to increase home value » Old paneling presents a problem; painting is solution » Bedroom design: A topic teens, parents can agree on » Road to a complete kitchen makeover can be easy » Sliding glass doors need special care when installing » Important security tips for many on-the-go homeowners » Curculios come out of woodwork to attack fruit trees » Bring light into dark areas of the home » Home seller wants to cancel listing and sell to buyer » Jeannie’s Cottage looks like traditional farmhouse » Moss gardens can be velvety soft yet tough as nails |
Easy tips for fireplace safety can prevent injuries(WMS) — Before lighting the first fire this fall, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) recommends that people follow a few simple fireplace safety steps. “Prevention is the name of the game when it comes to fire safety,” noted Carter Keithley, president and CEO of HPBA. “It's easy to stay safe and use fireplaces properly.” The HPBA recommends the following fireplace prep tips: • Make sure chimneys and vents are clear of creosote buildup or obstructions. • Clean out ashes from previous fires. • Add a fire screen in front of the fireplace to protect against sparks. • Open the damper. • Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of furniture, books, newspapers or other potentially flammable materials. • Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure proper operation. • Make sure all firewood is dry and well-seasoned. The HPBA offers additional fireplace safety advice that can help reduce the risk of unnecessary fires and prevent carbon monoxide poisonings. • Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house. • Make sure glass doors are installed properly. • Don't use more than one manufactured firelog at a time. • Never burn garbage, charcoal or plastic in the fireplace. • Never use gasoline or any liquid accelerant to help start a fire. • Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace. • Never leave a fire unattended. • If building a wood fire, keep the fire proportionate to the size of the fireplace. • Don't close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning. • When cleaning out the ashes, don't put them in paper or store them near the home until extinguished. Like any appliance, a fireplace requires regular maintenance to ensure its proper working order. Even if you have a gas fireplace, or any other hearth product, the HPBA recommends annual service by a hearth professional certified by the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). For more information about proper fireplace use, or to obtain the name of a specialty retailer or NFI certified professional, visit the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association Web site at www.hpba.org. |
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