Only burn dry and seasoned hardwoods and logs. Do not burn Christmas trees, holly wreaths, cardboard boxes or other highly flammable materials, which can make a flash fire that exceeds the capacity of your fireplace or flue system. Never use charcoal lighter fluids, kerosene or gasoline in the fireplace.

When fireplace logs are burned for a long period, soot will accumulate inside the chimney. It's important that you do not permit the excessive accumulation of soot in the chimney flue. Occasionally inspect the flue with a flashlight for heavy soot residue. If you have a brick or clay flue, an occasional handful of salt or commercial flue cleaner tossed onto the fire will help remove the soot. (This should never be done, however, if you have a metal flue.) When the soot accumulation becomes thick, have your fireplace and flue professionally cleaned.

In order to prevent heat loss up the chimney, close the damper when the fireplace is not in use. Similarly, if your fireplace is equipped with its own outside combustion air intake, close the intake damper.

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