MIDLAND, Texas — According to the Midland Fire Department, poor maintenance can create a serious safety hazard when using your fireplace.
"So a lot of times when people are using fireplaces they're using lots of different types of woods and obviously creating different types of heat," said Rocky Guzman, a fire investigator for the Midland Fire Department. "So a lot of times we recommend everybody gets their fireplaces inspected and cleaned, because a lot of times from previous burns it causes a lot of build up within the fireplace, within the chimneys. So having a company come in and clean that out can help reduce the risk of fires."
But it’s not just maintenance you need to keep in mind.
Guzman says that you also need to keep in mind the type of wood that you use for burning.
“So a big thing that we recommend especially with wood burning fireplaces, make sure you’re using dry and seasoned firewood," Guzman continued. "Don’t use treated wood or any type of wood that’s made for construction use. Because when those are burned, they can cause dangerous gases that can get inside your home.”
And another thing to keep in mind with different types of wood is knowing which is right for your type of fireplace.
“Depending on the type of fireplace you have just depends on the type of wood it can burn," Guzman added. "Because some woods do burn hotter. For example, apartment complexes, their fireplaces are a lot smaller than a traditional residential fireplace. So, using heavier, hotter burning woods is not recommended for those types of fireplaces.”
Inspections from professionals can help you figure out which type of wood is best for your fireplace.
Guzman also says that it's important to remember to open up your chimney's dampers when using the fireplace and to also not leave the fireplace unattended.