Having a fireplace in your Blue Bell-area home can be a great way to stay warm and cozy during the brutal Pennsylvania winters. However, it’s important to practice fireplace safety to ensure your property remains free of unwanted fire events. That means understanding how to extinguish a fireplace fire safely.

Below, we’ll cover all the basics of safely extinguishing a fireplace fire so you can stay comfortable without compromising the safety and security of your property this winter.

Safety Precautions For Extinguishing A Fireplace Fire

Before you attempt to stifle the flames in your fireplace, it’s important to take some basic safety precautions first:

Gather Necessary Equipment

To safely extinguish a fireplace fire, you’ll first need to gather these tools:

• Fireplace tools (i.e., poker, tongs, and shovel)
• Heat-resistant gloves
• Metal ash bucket or similar container with a lid
• Fire extinguisher (for emergencies)
• Fire-resistant hearth rug or mat
• Protective goggles or glasses

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

Once you’ve collected the necessary equipment, it’s crucial to ensure your space is well-ventilated. Open a window or door to let in fresh air and reduce the buildup of harmful gases like carbon monoxide as you work.

Secure Flammable Materials

After ensuring adequate ventilation, move any flammable items far away from your fireplace. Things like furniture, curtains, and decorations should be moved at least three feet from the fireplace to prevent them from catching fire.

Extinguishing A Fireplace Fire: A Step-By-Step Guide

Now that you’re properly equipped, it’s time to begin the extinguishing process. Here’s how to put out a fireplace fire the right way:

Step 1: Use Fireplace Tools

Put on your heat-resistant gloves and grab the poker or tongs, rearranging the burning logs in your fireplace to place the hottest logs in the back. Carefully spread out the embers as you work to help prevent re-ignition.

Step 2: Remove Any Ashes

Using your fireplace shovel, scoop up the ashes and place them in your metal container. Be sure that there are no active embers mixed in with the ashes so your bucket does not catch fire.

Step 3: Douse The Fire

After you’ve removed the ashes, carefully sprinkle water onto the fire using a fireplace-safe water container or bucket with a long handle to ensure a safe distance from active flames.

Important note: Rapid temperature changes can result in fireplace damage, so be sure to pour water gradually to prevent physical damage to your fireplace.

Step 4: Confirm Total Extinguishment

Wait for the ashes and embers to fully cool before inspecting for residual heat using your heat-resistant gloves to shift around the remaining ashes. If you detect any warmth through the gloves, repeat Step 3 until all ashes are completely cool to the touch.

Step 5: Close The Damper

Once the fire is fully extinguished and the ashes are cool, you can close the damper. This will prevent drafts and unwanted heat transfer while your fireplace is not in use, so you can enjoy its warming effects even after the fire is fully extinguished.

Stay Safe With Chimney Scientists

Knowing how to extinguish a fireplace fire safely is essential for preserving your safety and security. By following the steps outlined above, you can enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace without worrying about the aftermath of a potential fire. 

If you’ve accidentally damaged your fireplace while putting out a fire or have had a fire emergency damage your system, trust the experts at Chimney Scientists to put the problem right in no time.

We offer the fireplace repair solutions you need to ensure your system remains fully operational for the long term.

Call (610) 909-5585 today to schedule fireplace repair or replacement in Blue Bell, PA.