• Use a fire screen or install special glass doors to prevent sparks from escaping into the room;
  
  
• Burn only appropriate materials: dry hardwood or special “firelogs” (read all directions carefully); stay clear of treated or painted woods, paper or other items that could be toxic when burned;
  
  
• Use special long matches to light fires;
  
  
• Do not close the flue until your fire has gone completely out and stopped smoking;
  
  
• Build fires of reasonable size and set logs at the back of the fireplace;
  
  
• Never leave a fire unattended;
  
  
• Do not light a fire if you do not truly need one for warmth; while fires can be lovely, the burning of fossil fuels can pollute our environment. So use your fireplace sparingly.

For great tips on what to consider when having a new fireplace installed, check out the article Poor Fireplace Workmanship from  AskTheBuilder.com. As the “builder” himself astutely points out, “This part of your home must be perfect or nearly so, as there are clear and present dangers when you have a raging fire burning inside your home.”

The Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety, produced by the Seismic Safety Commission of the State of California, also contains a very useful section on the dangers of “Unreinforced Chimneys” (see page 28).

Finally, check out the chimneys.com Web site for a range of helpful maintenance and safety information.