by D K Mitchell

Created on: December 16, 2008

Fire Safety - Keeping the Fire Extinguisher Handy.

Fire safety should come down to common sense but sadly it is holiday times, when people should be happy and enjoying the warmth of a well tended fire, that disaster strikes most often. Keeping the fire contained within the fire place means keeping it guarded from flying sparks or embers with a sturdy mesh firescreen and not allowing a build up of paper or flammable material to gather in front of the screen.

Drying clothing on the screen is also a danger that need not occur when common sense is present. Any clothes airers placed directly in front of a fire should never be left unattended overnight or for long periods at anytime of day.

Hanging Christmas stockings over a fireplace while traditional, is safest when the stockings are not directly over the opening but place to the sides away from the direct heat and away from any sparks. It is the same with Christmas cars. Many times you see a wire stretched across the fireplace front loaded with cards. This fireplace habit is extremely dangerous as the heat soon scorches and can ignite particularly the centre cards. Should this happen in the middle of the night a disaster may occur.

Whether your fireplace is the open fire variety or the woodheater contained variety they still need fire safety implementations.

Fire safety will also include not overloading the fire with rubbish or excess of wrapping papers, not allowing children to be in charge of the fire. Young children should never be allowed to put anything in the fire and older children should be watched when they take on the chore. Be aware too of the tendency to use pine cones as ornaments on the hearth. This fireplace fuel should be stored well to the side outside the firescreen as it takes but one spark to set the whole lot on fire.

Furniture should not be positioned too closely to an open fireplace. Materials used in furniture can and do ignite and with temperatures of up to 1000 oC or 1830oF from within the fireplace it is not hard to imagine combustion.

Make certain smoke alarms are in place and functioning. At holiday times when people tend to indulge in alcoholic drinks heavy sleepers abound, don't be caught by smoke inhalation. Those irritating piercing sounds may save your life.

Fire extinguishers are an essential in any home, but in the home where there is an open fire it should be law. It isn't hard to find a handy spot to hang a fire extinguisher in plain view for easy access should disaster occur. The extinguisher needs to be checked yearly. Checking the gauges will let you know if there is any leakage. The cylinder itself needs to be up to date and in good condition. Once used they need to be refilled straight away.

To sum up let's go over the basic essentials:-

1/ a fireplace screen or surround, metal mesh that keeps sparks contained and children out.

2/ keep flammables away from the front of the fireplace, dry clothes away from direct heat, hang stockings and cards safely.

3/ position furniture at a safe distance from fireplace.

4/ wood and fire fuel, such as pine cones should be stored well away from the fire.

5/ No excessive amounts of papers boxes etc., should be put into the fire at one time

6/ Children should not tend the fireplace.

7/ Check smoke alarms, use the tester button to check they are working.

8/ Fire Extinguishers should be in place and well maintained.

There is nothing as cosy and comforting as a well tended fire and a safe secure home, enjoy!

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