Here’s hoping you read this article before you have a fire to put out! That said, if you just bought a home with a fireplace, you’ll want to know a few things about how to put out a fireplace fire, so that you can keep the flames controlled to the fireplace.
How do you keep the fire in the fireplace and make sure no sparks get out? This is important because you could risk starting a fire in your home if you cannot contain the fire and put it out when you are done.
Learning just a few tips and tricks regarding fire safety will help keep you warm and toasty by the fire while also protecting your home. It’s worth getting an understanding of the right way to put out a fire. Not only is a fire downright dangerous, it also can be messy causing a lot of soot and ashes if you don’t extinguish it correctly.
What you will need to follow this tutorial
While there are not too many tools needed to put out a fireplace fire, you do want to make sure you have the following on hand before you consider lighting any fires in your fireplace. Don’t start a fire without a plan to put it out, and you’ll need these tools to do so:
- Fireplace Poker
- Baking Soda
- Metal Container to hold hot ashes and embers
- Small Shovel
- Fire Extinguisher (Not used in the process, but you should have one in case something goes wrong)
- Spray Bottle full of Water
Arguably the most important tool is the one you should not need to use. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your home anytime you are going to have a fire in the fireplace. If something goes wrong, you will be thankful.
How to Put out Fire in Fireplace Before Bed – Step by step instructions
To safely put out the fire in your fireplace, there really are not a lot of steps. You can put your fire out quickly and easily by just following these instructions:
1. Use your Poker
With your fireplace poker, spread out the ashes and embers across the floor of the fire. You will spread out the heat, which will help it die out.
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This is the most important step, as soon as you complete it the fire will lose its fuel and begin to peter out. Spread the coals throughout the entire base of the fireplace.
2. Put the Ash over Embers
Again with the poker, take the burned up ash and spread it over the embers, which is going to work to cool down the embers and slow down the heat.
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This is where you could also use a metal container or a shovel, anything that can contain ashes and help you spread them over the embers. This step can get a little messy, so make sure you use the right tools.
3. Spray with Water
As things are dying down, if you need to accelerate the process of putting the fire out, spray the embers with water, which will work to immediately put out the fire. Just be aware that this is going to cause a lot of smoke.
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Instead of water, you could spread baking soda over the embers, which will also work to put the fire out. Whether you use baking soda or water, make sure you monitor the fire for a few minutes after it is extinguished. Let everything settle and make sure no sparks reignite starting the fire anew.
Fireplace fires are a common occurrence in the wintertime. They can be caused by a variety of things, from faulty wiring to an improperly set log, but regardless of how it started, you need to know how to put one out quickly and safely. This post will walk you through what you need to do when your fireplace starts on fire – from getting yourself and your family out of harm’s way to extinguishing the flames with water or sand.
Putting out a fireplace fire quickly can be difficult, but it is possible. Here are some steps that you can take to put out a fire in your fireplace:
- If the fire is small and contained, do not try to extinguish it with water or other liquids as this may cause the flames to spread. Instead, cover the area with dirt from outside of the house or sand from inside of your home.
- Use baking soda on large fires with smoke coming up through cracks in the floorboards for an easy fix; if there is no immediate danger, leave it alone until someone comes along who knows what they’re doing (or wait for firefighters).
- On very large fires where people are at risk, toss sand onto the flames. If there is no immediate danger to people, you may want to wait for firefighters rather than tackling it yourself with a shovel – or use baking soda instead of sand if you have some handy (it works just as well).
If your home has caught fire and you are unsure what steps to take in order to extinguish the flames, please evacuate immediately and call firefighters. They will be able to help you put out the fire safely and effectively.
Remember: safety first! Always make sure that you and your loved ones are out of harm’s way before attempting to put out a fireplace fire. And if in doubt, always call the professionals.
What should you do if there is a Fire in your Fireplace?
Have you ever had a fire in your fireplace? If so, did it burn out of control for too long before someone finally noticed and put the flames out? It can be very dangerous but also funny. One time I saw this movie where an entire house was burned down because no one realized that their fireplace caught on fire… That is why it is important to know how to put out a fireplace fire quickly.
The first step is to make sure that the fire is actually OUT. Sometimes when you think it’s out, there are still some embers burning and if you start putting water on it at this point, you will just create steam and make the problem worse. So, take a poker or something and stir around the ashes until you are sure that there is no more fire.
Now it’s time to put out the water. If you have a garden hose nearby, this would be the best way to do it. Just spray the hose on top of the fireplace until the water starts coming out the bottom. You can also use a bucket of water or just pour it on top of the fireplace.
Make sure that you keep an eye on the fire in case it starts up again. If it does, don’t try to put it out yourself – call the fire department! They have special equipment and training for this kind of thing.
Good luck! If you ever have a fire in your fireplace, I hope that you will remember this post and be prepared to put it out quickly. Please share the link with everyone so they can learn how to do it too!
How to put out a Fireplace Fire quickly?
First, you need to know how the fire ignite. In case of fireplace and chimney fires, they usually start in one way or another by a flue that is blocked or full with soot. The smoke can’t escape through the top opening of your chimney… So it builds up until something causes an ignition (say a spark from the fireplace).
There are a few ways to put out this type of fire:
- Use a chimney fire extinguisher. This is the best way to put out the fire and it’s recommended that you have one nearby just in case.
- Have a bucket of sand nearby to throw on the fire.
- Use a garden hose to spray water onto the fire. Make sure to have a long enough hose to reach the top of your chimney.
- Call the fire department. They will have ladders and be able to put out the fire quickly.
Whichever way you choose, act fast! The longer you let a chimney fire burn, the more damage it will do to your home.
How to prevent a fire from starting in the Fireplace?
- The first step is to make sure that the fireplace is clean and free of debris. This includes ashes, soot, or any other combustible materials.
- Make sure that the damper is open before starting a fire. The damper helps air circulate in the chimney and prevents smoke from entering the house.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher or two nearby just in case something goes wrong. There should be one close to the fireplace and another on an upper floor of your home, preferably near the bedrooms.
- Do not leave the fireplace unattended, especially if there are children or pets in the house.
- Never use flammable liquids to start a fire in the fireplace. This includes gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluid.
- Keep a screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from flying out and starting a fire.
Warning: Do not put lit candles near the fireplace, as they can quickly start a chimney fire.
- If you are using a wood burning stove or an electric heater for heating your home, make sure that these appliances have been inspected and cleaned every year by professional experts.
Tips for safe use of your Fireplace
- Always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying out and starting a fire on the floor.
- Make sure the flue is open when you have a fire going, or smoke and carbon monoxide will build up in your home.
- Never leave a fire unattended, especially if there are children or pets around.
- Always have a fire extinguisher nearby. You can get one from the hardware or department store, and it’s an inexpensive investment for your home safety!
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Quick tips for using your Chimney Safely and Effectively
- Always use a fireplace screen. It will keep you from having your clothes catch on fire when the logs burn, and it can stop sparks from flying out of the chimney onto food or anything else that is flammable. If you don’t have one yet, consider buying one this holiday season; they are very affordable now.
- Make sure the damper is open before you light a fire. This will help draw the air up into the chimney and allow your fire to burn more efficiently.
- Keep an eye on your fire, and make sure that it is burning safely. Do not leave a fireplace fire unattended, especially if there are children or pets in the house.
- Use a fireplace poker to stir the logs around and keep them from building up too much ash on top. This will help your fire burn more cleanly and produce less smoke.
- When you are finished with your fire, make sure to close the damper so that the heat doesn’t escape up the chimney. This will help your fireplace stay warm for a longer period of time.
- If you have any questions about using your fireplace, or if there is something that you don’t understand, please consult an expert before trying to do it yourself. Fireplaces can be dangerous if not used properly, and it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency in the United States that was created by an act of Congress in 1970. The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. One of the ways that the EPA protects human health is by regulating air quality.
One way to reduce air pollution from fireplaces is to use EPA-certified fireplace inserts. These inserts have been certified by the EPA to meet certain emissions standards.
Another way to reduce air pollution from fireplaces is to only burn clean, dry wood. Wet or green wood produces more smoke and soot than dry wood.
You can also help reduce air pollution from your fireplace by using it in ways that produce less smoke. For example, you can burn wood during times of the day when there are fewer pollutants in the air.
There is a fire to put out and we will proceed with more tips on how to do this below!
Safety Tips
- Before starting a fire, always check to make sure the flue is open. This will allow the smoke and fumes to escape properly.
- Always use proper fireplace tools when tending to a fire. Never use your hands!
- Keep combustible materials like paper or kindling away from the fireplace opening.
- When putting out a fire, use a fireplace screen to protect yourself from the heat.
- If the fire is too large or out of control, leave the house and call 911. Do not try to put it out yourself!
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you have a working smoke alarm in your home.
- The NFPA also recommends that you open the flue before lighting any fires, and close it immediately after extinguishing them.
How do I know if the fire is put out?
Once you have smothered the flames, it’s important to make sure they are completely out before leaving the room. You can do this by stirring up the ashes with a poker, or by using an oven mitt to feel the heat. It’s normal for there to be some residual warmth left in ashes that have not been stirred up yet.
If you poke around and find no embers underneath the ash but still see flames burning away on top of it, just give it another minute or two to let the fire die out. The goal is not to have any active flames when you walk away from the fireplace.
A post-fire checklist:
- Make sure there are no embers left in the ashes by stirring them with a poker or using an oven mitt to feel for heat
- If there are still some flames burning on top of the ashes, let them die out completely before leaving the room
- Ensure that the fireplace is completely cool to the touch before walking away from it. This may take a few hours, so be patient!
- If you have a fire extinguisher, make sure it’s in working condition and know how to use it. This is the best way to put out a fire in case your fireplace screen fails you
- If there are flammable materials near or around the fireplace, it’s wise to move them away from where they could catch on fire and burn down your house! If this isn’t possible, be sure to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t catch on fire.
- If you have children, put a child safety gate or lock on the fireplace to keep them out of it! Also, inspect your fireplace screens for any holes that could let kids get too close and burn themselves with hot ashes.
What should I do if the fire spreads to my curtains?
First and foremost, turn off your fireplace. If it’s electric or gas-powered you might have a special cutout switch for this purpose (you can find one in an electrical box near the area). This way no more air will get into the system allowing the fire to burn itself out.
Side note: As you probably already know, curtains are just another term for cloth window coverings made of fabrics like cotton, vinyl or nylon and typically hung on a curtain rod at the open sides of windows (I hope you didn’t forget that – I wouldn’t want my blog post content to be devoid of fun facts like this one).
A fire can spread to your curtains if they’re too close to the fireplace. For safety reasons, you should keep a distance between them and any source of heat (such as candles or radiators) at least three feet apart from each other.
If the fireplace is electric or gas-powered, turn off the power to the fireplace by locating the switch near the unit. If there is a fire in your fireplace, NEVER PUT WATER ON IT! This will only make things worse and could cause an electrical shock.
If you have water available, pour it on any surrounding objects like rugs or furniture to help prevent the fire from spreading. At this point, you should also call 911 to report the fire as it may have already spread beyond your home and require a professional firefighter response!
What if I can’t put out the fire?
If for some reason you are unable to extinguish the flame or get help from others, contact emergency services by dialing 911. Make sure to give them your exact address and let them know that there is a fire in your home. Do not hang up until they tell you it’s okay to do so!
If you’re not able to speak, leave the phone off of the hook until emergency services arrive.
Even though it seems like a burning wooden log in the middle of your living room, you can’t just grab some sand or water and put out a smoking-hot ember. You need to smother the flames quickly before they spread and do some damage.
The best way to do this is by using a metal fireplace screen.
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A metal fireplace screen can be used in two ways: either you can place it in front of the fire so that the flames are stopped, or you can hold it up and use it as a shield to protect yourself from the heat.
If you don’t have a metal fireplace screen, you can use an oven mitt or pot holder to cover the flames. Be careful not to burn yourself in the process! Another option is to use a baking sheet or pan to put over the fire. Just be careful that the pan is deep enough so that the fire won’t jump out.
If you’re not able to speak, leave the phone off of the hook until emergency services arrive.
FAQ
Can I let the fire die naturally?
This depends on how long you are going to stay in the room. If you are going to sit around the fire for hours and let it burn out, it will eventually. But, if you have somewhere to be, or want to go to bed, you need to put the fire out first.
Is it better to use baking soda or water?
Both are effective ways to put out the fire. With baking soda, you will get less smoke, but have more to clean up inside the fireplace, so it is a matter of personal preference.
What if I don’t have a fire poker?
Anything that is long and can withstand eat could work. Try a shovel with a long handle that you could reach in and poke the fire with. You could use a long piece of wood, but make sure you pull it out of the fire before it burns, or you’re just going to have a bigger fire than you started with.
Can I use a fire extinguisher?
You should not. Fire extinguishers are messy and not needed to put out a regular fire. Save them for emergencies and if the fire gets out of control. Don’t use a fire extinguisher to routinely put out a fireplace fire, you could end up doing more harm than good.
Will the fire still be hot after it is out?
Yes. Just because the fire is under control and stopped burning doesn’t mean you can stick your hand in the fire. The coals take a long time and it will be hours until the fireplace has completely cooled down.
What should I do if my fireplace is on fire?
Even though it seems like a burning wooden log in the middle of your living room, you can’t just grab some sand or water and put out a smoking-hot ember. You need to smother the flames quickly before they spread and do some damage. The best way to do this is by using a metal fireplace screen.
How do I use a metal fireplace screen?
A metal fireplace screen can be used in two ways: either you can place it in front of the fire so that the flames are stopped, or you can hold it up and use it as a shield to protect yourself from the heat.
What if I don’t have a metal fireplace screen?
If you don’t have a metal fireplace screen, you can use an oven mitt or pot holder to cover the flames. Be careful not to burn yourself in the process! Another option is to use a baking sheet or pan to put over the fire. Just be careful that the pan is deep enough so that the fire won’t jump out.
How do I know if the fire is out?
Once you’ve put out the flames, it’s important to make sure that the embers are no longer burning. To do this, use a poker or fireplace tool to move around the ashes and stir them up. If there are any remaining hotspots, use a bucket of water to soak them until they’re extinguished. Finally, dump the ashes into a metal container and store them outside.
Conclusion
Fires are a great way to stay warm and to add some ambience to your room. That said, you need to be careful when having a fire, and make sure it is extinguished before you leave the room or go to bed. Make sure you have a plan for putting out the fire before you start the fire, and always have a fire extinguisher in your home in case of emergency.
Was this article helpful? We would love you to leave us some comments about the fires you have in your home, and if you found any other helpful tricks to put out a fireplace in your fire. Don’t forget to share this with your friends who also have fires at home. Safety is paramount and we want to make sure everyone knows how to safely put out their fires!
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