Winter is just around the corner and it’s time to look forward to spending some quality time together with your family. Whether it’s baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, or just cozying up in front of a crackling fire. This important bonding time creates memories that will last a lifetime. Need ideas to keep that family time going? Keep reading!
Get a Good Fire Going
The first thing you’ll need to get those memories started is building a good fire. According to the Martha Stewart website, start by opening your dampers all the way. Crumple up some newspaper and put it under the grate, and top this with newspaper strips. Add six to twelve pieces of kindling on top of the strips, then add a couple of thin, split logs. Remember to layer these loosely so that air can circulate. Light the tinder. Then, when the kindling is burning steadily, add a couple small logs and one large log. Remember to leave some space so the fire can breathe. Don’t smother your fire or let it burn out of control by adding too much too quickly.
Stay Safe!
When you’re using your fireplace more, you do need to be careful to keep things safe. Nothing wrecks family time faster than a trip to the emergency room! One thing you’ll want to avoid is running too many appliances that are vented. These appliances include your clothes dryer, central vacuum system, bathroom vents, or kitchen range hood. Make sure not to use all of these at the same time that your fireplace is running. According to The Co-operators, if you do this, it can overtax the venting system and some carbon monoxide can be trapped in your house. Never use starter fluid or other fuels when starting your indoor fireplace fire. Of course, having your fireplace inspected and cleaned on a yearly basis by professionals like those at Chimney Doctors of Colorado is a must!
If you have children in the house, you’ll want to take special precautions to make sure they stay safe when a fire is burning. Make sure that your children are aware of the dangers of going too close to the fire or roughhousing in front of the fire. Warn them against putting objects into or poking around in the fire. The most effective way of keeping your small children away from the fire? Install a fireplace screen to block off access to the fire.
Add Some Fun!
If your fireplace scene includes steaming hot hot chocolate, you can add some fun by adding some cool toppings to it. Adding whipped topping is always delicious, but try topping that with some crushed peppermint sticks and add a candy cane for a stirring stick. Crushed filled chocolate cookies on top are a fun twist. Or make a s’more hot cocoa by putting mini-marshmallows on top, toasting them with a kitchen torch until they’re puffy and browned, and topping this with chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumbs! Tasty!
Get the Best Fireplace Care Available
The most important way to keep your fireplace in tip-top shape is to trust the best – Chimney Doctors of Colorado. Their technicians are CSIA certified and know all the latest technology to make sure that your fireplace is clean and safe. Give them a call today! 303-838-3009