Later on we'll conspire as we sit by the (safe) fire

January 4, 9:37 PMHousing ExaminerDena Kouremetis

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As we pack up our holiday decorations and stifle our ho-ho-ho-ing for another year, January finds many Americans turning to their fireplaces for things not listed as prudent in a fireplace safety guide – such as using it as place for holiday trash disposal.

Here are some precautions that might help keep the home fires in check:

•    Never leave a wood burning fire unattended and shut off gas logs when not in the room to appreciate them for their warmth and beauty.

•    Don’t ever use gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid to start a fire, but light dry, seasoned hardwood instead with long-stemmed matches.

•    Pay no attention to that piece of coal Bob Cratchett tried to warm up by at Scrooge’s counting house! Never burn charcoal or use a hibachi in your fireplace as both produce deadly carbon monoxide.

•    Fend off the sparks by enclosing your fireplace with glass doors or a screen.

•    Have your chimney and fireplace inspected each year to ensure that it is free of blockages and has proper ventilation.

•    Speaking of carbon monoxide, never close down the flue while a fire is still smoldering.

•    Cover your chimney with a guard, designed to keep small animals out while making it impossible for small sparks to ignite your roof.

•    Keep flammables a good distance away from the hearth or fireplace and remove holiday decorations BEFORE building a fire.

•    Mark a day on your calendar each year to check the battery back-ups on your smoke detectors. Did you know that your smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years?

For these and many more tips on fireplace safety, visit hpba.org. and click on “safety information’ at the bottom of the home page.