Many Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fueled appliances to keep them warm as the weather reaches the colder seasons. All home heating system require regular maintenance in order for them to function properly and not cause damages. This article gives helpful hints on how to avoid any residential fires.

The number one aspect to prevent fires is to keep fireplaces and wood stoves clean at all times. This should be done by a licensed professional. Clear the area of all debris and never restrict air supply to the fireplace. Leave the doors to the fireplace open to allow the air supply to flow through. It’s also important to use fire-resistant materials on both the fireplace and wood stoves.

Keep fires to a smaller size so less smoke is created and never burn debris like trash in the fireplace or wood stove. Also, never leave a fire unattended! For the outside of your home make sure to keep the roof clear of leaves and other debris, cover the chimney with a screen spark arrester and always stack firewood thirty feet from your house. For the inside of your home install smoke alarms on all levels of your home and have proper venting systems for all heating systems. Read the rest of the article here to see what else you can do to prevent fires from happening.