Pre-burn safety checklist for your fireplace
Five things to check before lighting the first fire of the season. Takes 10 minutes.
What you'll learn
- How to verify the damper opens fully and seals when closed
- How to test the smoke alarm and CO detector on the same floor
- Why a damp newspaper "draft test" predicts whether the chimney will draw
- When the firebrick and refractory mortar need attention before you burn
Step by step
- Open the damper fully. Shine a flashlight up — you should see daylight.
- Check firebrick for cracks wider than 1/16" or missing chunks.
- Test the CO detector and smoke alarm on the same floor.
- Light a rolled-up newspaper torch and hold it under the damper for 30 seconds — warms the flue and primes draft.
- Open a window slightly in tightly sealed homes to relieve negative pressure.
Safety note
If smoke spills into the room on the first fire, open a window wider, check the damper, and let the flue warm up longer. Persistent smoking means a draft problem — call a sweep before next use.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Same-day electrical service across San Diego County. A real electrician picks up.
More guides
Keep learning.
Safety · 4 min watch
How to spot creosote buildup in your chimney
Stage 3 creosote is what burns down houses. You can spot it from the firebox if you know what to look for.
Basics · 5 min watch
How to choose a chimney cap that lasts
A $25 galvanized cap rusts through in 5 years near the coast. A $250 stainless cap lasts the life of the chimney.
Maintenance · 5 min watch
Cleaning a short dryer vent run yourself
If your dryer vents directly through an exterior wall behind it, you can clean it. If it routes through walls or attic, call us.