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Before the first fire of the season
A short, sourced checklist for getting a fireplace or wood stove ready for winter.
Get it inspected first
- The U.S. Fire Administration advises having your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional. source
- NFPA 211, the national chimney and fireplace standard, calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year. source
- CSIA guidance is to sweep a masonry fireplace at 1/8 inch of sooty buildup, and sooner if any glazed creosote is present. source
Set up the hearth safely
- Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace so embers and sparks cannot jump out. source
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from the fireplace or wood stove. source
- Do not burn paper in the fireplace. source
Handle ashes carefully
- Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 10 feet from the house. source
Why timing matters
- In NFPA's 2020–2024 averages, 46% of home heating equipment fires happened from December through February. source