As you listen to Nat King Cole croon his venerable and frequently played holiday classic, be sure you roast your chestnuts carefully. Although most people probably do not roast chestnuts over an open fire, some do. How do you roast chestnuts so as to avoid any potential fire hazards?
This is just the sort of conversation Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney enjoys. As fireplace and chimney pros, we are glad to share our experience and knowledge – wherever your interests take us.
Roasting chestnuts became a favorite activity because of the sweet aromas that waft through the house and their succulent taste. Most people today roast chestnuts in the oven. But if you go all-traditional and use your hearth or fireplace to roast chestnuts, avoid a fire hazard by paying attention. Don’t leave them unattended. Don’t leave them over the flame for much more than 5 minutes each side. Reduce potential for any fire hazard by tending your fireplace carefully. (A glass door or metal screen is a valuable and practical accessory in this instance.)
From our decades of satisfied customer feedback, Old Smokey’s knows that best practices and preventive maintenance go hand-in-hand to reduce the chance of fire hazards in your home – during the holidays or at any other time.
What about burning all that torn and crumpled holiday wrapping paper? Although it may be a common practice, burning wrapping paper poses some risks. For one thing, ink from some wrapping paper may give off toxic fumes. Additionally, paper burns quickly and often produces a high flame. This high flame might possibly reach into the chimney and cause built-up creosote to catch fire. Another hazard of burning paper is that embers might conceivably rise up from the chimney and escape, posing a fire hazard. Simply recycling used wrapping paper is your safest alternative.
A key to preventing these sorts of problems is your annual fireplace and chimney inspection. If you are concerned about creosote build-up or the formation of any combustible residues, get your chimney and venting systems inspected. Old Smokey’s abides by standards and recommendations of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). We perform professional chimney inspections, chimney sweeping and chimney repairs, if needed. (And if embers really are escaping from your chimney, we can correct the problem safely and effectively.)
Reduce holiday fire hazards by following a few common-sense suggestions. Though it may seem perfectly obvious, certainly do not toss your cut Christmas tree or holiday wreath into your fireplace. It’s impractical and too risky a move.
Finally, before you wash and dry all your holiday linens and tablecloths, make sure your dryer vent is clean and clear and up to the task. Consider having Old Smokey’s take a look to make sure that lint build-up does not pose a threat of fire.
We are here all year round. Call us at 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 to ask us a question or schedule an appointment. In the meantime, we wish all our friends and neighbors, including former customers and would-be customers, the happiest and safest of holidays.