Fireplace and Chimney Preparation Checklist

20 items · Home · Medium difficulty · 1 hour

Get a wood fireplace or stove ready for its first fire: chimney check, hearth, firewood, alarms and safe lighting.

• Book a qualified chimney sweep

  Ask for the flue to be swept and inspected before the season's first fire.

• Look up how often your fuel and appliance need sweeping

  Your stove manual or the sweep can tell you.

• Check the chimney cap or top from the ground

  Look for a missing cap, loose bricks or nesting material. Do not climb onto the roof.

• Check the damper opens and closes fully
• Look inside the firebox for cracks or loose bricks

  Use a flashlight.

• Check the stove door seals and glass

  A worn seal lets in too much air.

• Remove old ashes once they are fully cold

  Use a metal bucket with a lid and keep it outside, away from the house.

• Clean the glass door

  Use a cleaner made for the purpose.

• Test smoke alarms on every floor

  Replace batteries if the alarm chirps or fails the test.

• Test carbon monoxide alarms

  Fit one in the room with the fireplace and near sleeping areas.

• Check you have a fire extinguisher and know where it is
• Clear the area around the fireplace

  Move rugs, furniture, curtains and anything flammable back from it.

• Check the fire screen or guard is in place

  Use it whenever there are children or pets around.

• Buy or order seasoned firewood

  Ask the seller how long it has been drying. Wet wood smokes and builds up deposits in the flue.

• Store the firewood off the ground and covered on top

  Keep it a short distance from the house walls.

• Stock kindling and fire starters

  Never use gasoline or other accelerants.

• Get a set of fireplace tools and heat-proof gloves
• Open the damper and light a small first fire

  Watch that smoke goes up the chimney and not into the room.

• Never leave a burning fire unattended

  Make sure the fire is out before going to bed or leaving the house.

• Tell everyone in the house where the extinguisher is and what to do in a fire

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