Home » Category » Time to Remind Consumers about Fireplace Safety

Time to Remind Consumers about Fireplace Safety

As fall weather starts to roll in, it won’t be long until fireplaces and stoves will get heavy use in many parts of the country. A warm fireplace can add ambiance to a room, but it can also add a degree of danger if not cared for and used properly. Whether you’re selling a new unit or an accessory, remind your customers of important safety tips from the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA).

  • Chimneys must be cleaned and inspected regularly at least once a year by a professional chimney sweep. Dirty chimneys can lead to a fire due to a build-up of Creosote, a natural byproduct of woodburning.
  • If there are small children in the home, remind consumers to keep any remote control to the fireplace or stove out of reach and have a switch lock to prevent children from accidentally turning them on.
  • Remind customers purchasing fireplaces, stoves or inserts that the glass on these units gets very hot. Even after the flame is out, the glass stays hot for a long time, so for safety, there should be a protective barrier in front of the fireplace. One option is a safety screen that fastens to the front of the fireplace. This creates an air space between the glass and the screen and can be added after the installation of the fireplace unit, as long as it is approved by the fireplace manufacturer. Another way to create a physical barrier is to purchase a free-standing safety glass or a fireplace safety screen. These provide an extra measure of protection to keep children and pets away from the hot fireplace.
  • Customers buying a new glass-fronted fireplace or heater will have the benefit of an extra protection built-in to the unit. Beginning Jan. 1, 2015, all newly manufactured glass-fronted, gas appliances were required to have a protective barrier if the surface temperature will exceed 172° F. This safety measure must be in place when the product is installed.

For more information and for downloadable safety materials, visit the HPBA website, at www.hpba.org.

About Jesse Carleton

Jesse Carleton has visited independent hardware retailers, conducted original research on the industry and written extensively about the business of hardware retailing. Jesse has written for more than a dozen of NHPA’s contract publishing titles, all related to the hardware retailing industry. He also was instrumental in developing the Basic Training in Hardware Retailing courses now used by thousands of retailers across the country.

Check Also

weather products

Weather Products Your Customers Need 

It was a local meteorologist, Rebecca Barry, who helped Hagan Ace Hardware create its hurricane …