Fall Fireplace Tips

It’s fall; more specifically, it’s October, and perhaps you are feeling the spirit of the Autumn season and want to decorate to reflect that. What better way to express your enthusiasm for fall than decorating your fireplace? It’s a great idea, and with that in mind, here are some fall fireplace tips.

Have Your Fireplace and Chimney Inspected and Cleaned

Before decorating and using your fireplace, it needs to be inspected and cleaned. There are a number of reasons why you should have a qualified chimney sweep take care of your fireplace and chimney. When you burn wood, it causes a buildup of a flammable substance known as creosote. If left alone, creosote can cause a chimney fire. Your chimney can also have a blockage, such as a bird’s nest or a clump of leaves that can force smoke and carbon monoxide back into your home. A clean fireplace also operates more efficiently than one that has not been cleaned in some time. A chimney sweep may also find structural defects that threaten the stability of your chimney and address them before they become an issue. If your chimney has been absorbing water due to being sunbaked, it will develop cracks from the freeze-thaw cycle, which could lead to the eventual collapse of your fireplace.

Keep It Simple

When you decorate your fireplace for fall, don’t overdo it. Less is more when it comes to your fireplace. Cluttering your fireplace’s mantle with too many decorations not only makes it too busy but also creates a fire hazard. Decorations packed in on your mantle could get knocked over, and you have an instant fire hazard. It’s common sense, but don’t set any flammable liquids or decorations on your fireplace.

Decorate to Match Your Mood

Try using a few artificial fall leaves to festoon your fireplace, or place a few small pumpkins on it. Since it’s October, you may want to place a small grinning jack-o’-lantern or friendly scarecrow on your mantle. Fall decorations such as artificial pumpkins and squash even come in colors to match your furniture or walls.

Perhaps your family is more sports-oriented, and fall means football. You can get decorations to place on your mantle to spruce up the room as you root for your favorite college or pro football team. Perhaps you’re more of a soccer fan; you can place decorations for your favorite Premier League team on your mantle.

Focus Your Room on the Fire

It stands to reason that putting such care into your fireplace that you will want to use it when entertaining guests for football games, Thanksgiving, or both. Arrange the furniture in the room to focus on your fireplace. Make Sure to keep them at a safe distance so a floating ember that may escape your fireplace won’t start a fire. Not only will having the room focused on the fireplace create a relaxing fall ambiance, but it is also a great conversation starter.

Fireplace Safety First

Be sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, placed fifteen feet from the fireplace. Keeping your family and pets safe should always be your top priority in any season.

Dubuque Fire Place and Patio Will Get Your Chimney Ready for Fall and Winter

If it’s been a while since you had your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned, the time is now to have them done. Call us at 563-582-5156 or complete our simple contact form. One of our staff will be happy to speak with you about having your chimney cleaned and inspected. We will ensure your chimney is ready for fall and maximum enjoyment.