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Promoting Fireplace Safety in the Home
With winter here many families are turning to their fireplaces to bring heat and comfort to their homes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration over 1/3 of American homes utilize a fireplace, a wood stove, and/or fuel-fired appliances in order to work as a primary source of heat. It is also estimated that residential home fires resulting from a home heating source are in the range of 36%. The chances of such home fires can be greatly reduced once home owners become acquainted with the risks and the safety measures that can be taken against such damage.
One of the most important elements of owning and operating any type of fire-based heating source is that regular maintenance is not just a recommendation to keep their fireplace or wood stove long-lasting; it is a necessity to keep their fire-based heating source safe. The USFA instructs that chimneys and wood stoves must be cleaned and inspected annually by the accredited professionals, such as a certified chimney specialist, and it is recommended that this inspection take place before the need for use arises.
Other measures to be taken to avoid increased risk of fire with fireplace use are as follows; make sure the hearth and surrounding area is cleared of all debris, flammable materials and decorations (fireplace screens are a recommended way to add even more protection and hearth area), leave glass doors cracked or open when a fire is burning in order to allow for enough air flow to keep the fire from complete combustion and to keep the creosote build up in the chimney at lower levels, once the fire is out make sure to close the glass doors to keep the air from the opening of the chimney from entering the room, if a fireplace does not have a glass door than always utilize a metal mesh screen, have stovepipe thermometers installed in order to monitor the flue temperatures, and never restrict the air flow supply to a fireplace as it may lead to creosote build up and chimney fires.
There are also very important fire safety tips that must be learned and followed by anyone that may start or tend a fireplace in the home. Never under any circumstances should a flammable liquid be utilized to start a fire. It is too dangerous and too inexact a science for such measures to be risked. Only seasoned hardwoods should be used to build a fire as soft, moist wood will undoubtedly lead to the increased build up of creosote in the chimney. Building small fire and letting them burn completely leads to less smoke production. Cardboard boxes, debris and/or trash should never be used when building a fireplace fire. Fire logs should be placed at the back of the fireplace on top of an adequate grate when building a fire.
A fire should never be left unattended. If a fire has not burned out completely but no one can stay with it the fire must be extinguished. Hot ashes should be soaked in water and then placed into a metal container and placed outside of the home for optimum safety. All residences must be equipped with fire alarms on each level of the home, especially in the rooms where fireplaces and cooking occur, and outside of all sleeping areas. Fire alarms need to be checked monthly with batteries replaced as soon as is necessary. All fireplace ventilation precautions need to be checked often as well.
Read MoreChildren’s Bedtime Rituals
More than thirty percent of all kids have a difficult time going to bed or keeping a standard bed time. Kids will be inventive to stay up late. Much of this has to do with fear of separation from their parents. Regular bedtime rituals can help alleviate some of their insecurity.
Bedtime is important and parents should spend twenty minutes or half an hour each night connecting with their children at bedtime. This is a perfect time for the kids to share their day and unwind. Small children look forward to this uninterrupted time with Mom and Dad.
Keeping a standard schedule will help with getting kids to go to bed without a fight. When at all possible put the kids to bed at the same time every day. Consistency builds security in children. They like to count on things being the same.
Bath time before bed is an excellent way to get the kids to settle down and get ready for sleep. This can be included in the time set aside for bedtime rituals. A nice warm bath will help children relax and unwind before bed.
After bath time, if the child is young, read a story or a chapter of a longer story. If age appropriate, have the child read to you, or take turns reading pages. Stories can be soothing and relaxing. Stories also excite the imagination and give happy thoughts to fall asleep to. Leave time to discuss the story and get your child’s input. Not only with this show you value them, it will keep them excited about reading.
Take time to rub their back and let them talk as the fall asleep. This lets them get anything out that might be bothering them or making them fearful. A teddy bed or doll may help as the child transitions to sleep. Some kids are afraid of sleeping alone, having a bedtime buddy can help ease their fears.
End the evening with a prayer. Give your child an opportunity to talk with God and build relationship with you. At the end of the prayer, tell your child you love them, hug and kiss them goodnight and leave them to fall asleep. Have a phrase like, “Sweet dreams, I love you”, be the last words you say each and every night.
Building a consistent routine will help keep peace in your house and help your child respect boundaries in other areas of their lives as well. If they have a schedule that is enforced, it will make bedtime less hectic and stressful. Remember, it is your responsibility to set the tone for bedtime and alleviate any fears your child may have going to bed.
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