Holiday season will be upon us before we know it. Nearly everyone likes to decorate their home for the variety of holidays we celebrate in the United States. The fireplace is usually an attention-grabber even without decoration, but the right holiday decor can really make it shine. Let’s go over some safety guidelines for decorating the fireplace this holiday season.

  • The Mantle – The mantle should be at least one foot from the opening of the firebox. Items placed on top of the mantle should be secured so they don’t fall onto the hearth. Any combustible items should be more than two feet away from the firebox if a fire is burning. Hanging paper decorations such as Halloween ghosts made of tissue or Thanksgiving turkeys made of paper should be moved before a fire is lit.
  • The Hearth – The hearth should extend 16-20 inches from the front of the firebox. Use the hearth to showcase jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. Any variety of decoration can be placed on the hearth, but make sure that all combustible materials are at least two feet away from the firebox.
  • Hanging Decorations – Use clear tape where possible when decorating the fireplace for Halloween. Quick detachment is extremely important if something goes awry while the room is still decorated. Never light the fire while combustible decorations are close to the firebox.

Before Using the Fireplace

No matter how much you love the holidays, it’s always nice to get back to normal when everything is said and done. Make sure to remove all combustible decorations before using the fireplace after it has been fully decorated for a holiday. Replace your normal decorations and make sure to follow the general rules about placing decorations too close to the firebox.

Fall Chimney Inspections

Fall is when most people light the first fire of the season in their fireplace or wood stove. We would like to remind you to schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning before using the chimney. Summer is a great time for a chimney inspection, but many people wait until fall to make sure everything is okay right before winter.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends a cleaning and inspection once per year for chimneys that are only occasionally used. They recommend more frequent cleaning for chimneys that are used on a regular basis. This is to ensure that creosote buildup is kept in check. Creosote may be managed by burning very dry (seasoned) hardwoods, but this does not eliminate it altogether.

Lou Curley’s Chimney Service is located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We provide top notch chimney services to homeowners in Delaware County, the main line, and surrounding areas. We offer discounts on our services each month. If you need our services this month, for example, you can automatically take $20 off of a chimney cleaning. Call us to ask about September to see if we can help you save money on chimney care when you schedule your cleaning or inspection.