Growing up in Iowa, I always looked forward to the warm
glow of a fire in winter. Whether it’s gas, electric or wood, a fireplace adds
ambiance to holiday gatherings.
First fire of the season.
If you rent a home or apartment with a working fireplace, spend a few minutes
with the Management Company or owner on how best to open up the fireplace for
the season. Does the chimney need to be swept? Do you need to buy and burn a
special creosote cleaning log?
Remember that birds and animals may nest in the chimney
if there’s no chimney cap, and many renters have faced finding animals in a
dormant chimney. If that happens, contact your maintenance team or manager for
help.
If your home has a gas fireplace, you may want to ask
your management company to show you how to turn this on. Turning on the gas for
the first time in winter can cause a distinct odor, and a dry run during
business hours may save you from a panicked call later.
Staying safe:
Once you have used the fireplace, keeping it clean and closed is important. Be
sure to properly dispose of any ash if you are burning wood or fire logs. Let
the fire die out, perhaps overnight. The next day, feel the ash and be sure
that it’s cooled and can be disposed of properly.
Close the flue when your fire is completely extinguished.
This will keep cold air from coming into your home and warm air inside. Gas
fireplaces must be properly turned off as you leave the room. They should never
be left unattended.