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The best time to get your fireplace ready for winter is before the first cold night, not during it. A chimney that sat unused all summer can be blocked by a bird’s nest, coated in creosote from last season, or hiding a cracked liner, and you won’t know until the room fills with smoke or worse.
This guide covers why chimneys catch fire, the 7 steps to get your fireplace ready for winter, the warning signs of a chimney fire, and how to burn and clean up safely all season.
WHAT’S IN THIS GUIDE
Why Chimney Fires Happen
When wood burns, the smoke carries unburned particles up the chimney. As that smoke hits the cooler chimney walls, it condenses and leaves a residue called creosote. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) says that whatever form it takes, creosote is highly combustible. Source: CSIA — Preventing Chimney Fires
CSIA lists three things that make creosote build up faster:
- Restricted air, like a damper that isn’t open wide enough or glass doors kept closed
- Burning unseasoned wood, which makes cooler, wetter smoke
- A cold chimney, where smoke cools and condenses faster
Not every chimney fire is loud or obvious, and damage can hide inside the flue where you can’t see it. That’s why an inspection matters even if you’ve never noticed a problem.
How to Get Your Fireplace Ready for Winter in 7 Steps
These steps work for a wood-burning fireplace or a wood stove. Do them in the fall, before your first fire.
Step 1: Get the chimney inspected and swept
This is the most important step to get your fireplace ready for winter. The U.S. Fire Administration says to have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year by a professional. CSIA recommends hiring a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and having the chimney swept or repaired as needed. Source: U.S. Fire Administration — Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety
Book early. Chimney sweeps fill up fast once the first cold snap hits, and in central Indiana that’s usually late October.
Step 2: Look inside the firebox and up the flue
Before the sweep comes, or between visits, grab a flashlight and take a look. Check the firebox for cracked bricks or missing mortar. Then open the damper and look up the chimney for anything blocking it, like leaves, nests, or debris. If you see a thick black coating on the inside walls, it’s time for a sweep.
Step 3: Test the damper
Open and close the damper a few times. It should move freely and seal when it’s closed. A damper that’s stuck partly closed restricts the air, which CSIA lists as one of the causes of creosote buildup. One that won’t close lets your furnace heat escape up the chimney all winter.
Step 4: Check the chimney cap from the ground
From the yard, look at the top of the chimney. A cap keeps out rain, animals, and debris. If it’s missing, bent, or rusted through, have the sweep replace it while they’re there. CSIA lists a discolored or warped rain cap as one sign a chimney fire may have already happened, so mention it if yours looks damaged. Source: CSIA — Preventing Chimney Fires
Step 5: Stock up on dry, seasoned firewood
Wet wood makes cooler smoke and more creosote. Burn only firewood that’s been split and dried to below 20% moisture, which usually takes at least a year for hardwood. Our firewood calculator tells you how many cords to buy for the winter and covers how to season and store it.
Step 6: Put a screen in front of the fire
The U.S. Fire Administration says to keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace so embers and sparks can’t jump out. If your fireplace doesn’t have glass doors, a sturdy fireplace screen is a must. Wood stove doors should stay closed except when you’re loading or stoking the fire.
Step 7: Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
A fireplace or wood stove adds a new source of carbon monoxide to your home. Press the test button on every smoke and CO alarm, and replace any that are past their expiration date. If you don’t have a CO alarm on every level, a plug-in carbon monoxide detector is an easy fix. Our guide on where to put carbon monoxide detectors covers the best spots.
How to Burn Safely All Winter
Once your fireplace is ready for winter, the U.S. Fire Administration’s safety rules keep it that way:
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from the fireplace or wood stove. That includes furniture, curtains, rugs, and the firewood pile.
- Don’t burn paper in the fireplace or wood stove.
- Put the fire out before you go to bed or leave the house.
- Keep any “on” switches and remotes for gas fireplaces out of reach of children.
Source: U.S. Fire Administration — Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety
Ashes are the part most people get wrong. They can stay hot for days. The U.S. Fire Administration says to put ashes in a metal container with a lid and set it outside, at least 10 feet from your home. A metal ash bucket with a lid makes it easy. Never dump ashes in a paper bag, a plastic trash can, or on the deck. Wear work gloves when you carry the bucket out.
Signs You May Have Had a Chimney Fire
A chimney fire can happen without anyone noticing. CSIA lists signs to look for afterward:
- Puffy or honeycombed creosote inside the chimney
- Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with chunks missing
- Flakes of creosote on the roof or the ground around the house
- A discolored or warped rain cap
Source: CSIA — Preventing Chimney Fires
If you see any of these, stop using the fireplace and have a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep inspect it before your next fire. Getting your chimney ready is also one of the tasks on our winter home maintenance checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fireplace and Chimney Safety
How often should a chimney be cleaned?
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends having your chimney inspected and cleaned every year by a professional. If you burn a lot of wood, it may need sweeping more than once a season.
What is creosote?
Creosote is the residue smoke leaves on the inside of the chimney as it cools. It can be flaky, sticky, or hard and shiny, and all forms are highly flammable. It’s the main cause of chimney fires.
Can I clean my own chimney?
You can check it with a flashlight, but a professional inspection is the best way to catch cracks, damaged liners, and hidden creosote. CSIA recommends an annual inspection by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep.
How far should firewood be from the fireplace?
At least 3 feet, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Keep only what you’ll burn that night near the fireplace, and store the rest outside.
How long do fireplace ashes stay hot?
They can stay hot enough to start a fire for days. Always put them in a metal container with a lid and keep it outside, at least 10 feet from the house.
Do I need a carbon monoxide detector if I have a fireplace?
Yes. Any fireplace or wood stove can produce carbon monoxide, especially if the chimney is blocked. Have a working CO alarm on every level of your home.