The warmth and the glow of a fire has a relaxing effect on everyone, providing emotional comfort as much as physical warmth. Just as candlelight sets the mood for an intimate dinner, a fireplace creates instant ambiance in any room. This is why the fireplace always seems to become the central gathering place of the home.

Safety Measures:

• Place a rug that is nonflammable in front of the fireplace so that if sparks escape, they wont do any damage to your floor or carpeting.
• Always use fireplace tools, not your hands, for handling burning logs.
• Do not use a fireplace as a furnace. A fireplace should be used for no more than five hours at a time.
• Use a screen in front of the fire to prevent possible sparks from causing a house fire.
• Do not allow children to play with or near fireplace tools and equipment.
• Do not leave a fire unattended when there are children in the house.
• Handle ashes with extreme care. Coals in the fireplace can last for up to three days. Once ashes are cool, use a shovel to place them in a container such as a steel bucket with a lid. Do not place the bucket on a combustible surface. When shoveling the ashes, be sure the damper is open, so that airborne ash will go up the chimney instead of inside your home.