7 Tips
Before Using Your Fireplace Fireplace season is coming up and many homeowners will be lighting real or gas logs for the first time since spring. Before you gather the family around the fireplace, you should make sure it is not going to be a fire hazard. To eliminate the potential for disaster when using a fireplace, follow these seven tips before you use it for the first time this season:
1. Have Chimney Cleaned and Inspected: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you should have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a licensed chimney specialist to get rid of the soot and creosote that builds up and make sure there are no other issues, such as cracks or dislodged bricks that need to be repaired.
2. Open the Flue: Before you light a fire, make sure your chimney’s flue is open to ensure the fireplace will vent properly.
3. Use Dry Wood: Make sure the wood you burn is dry, because wet wood can increase creosote buildup and result in a chimney fire.
4. Use a Fireplace Screen: Make sure you have a metal fireplace screen, or metal mesh curtains, in front of the fireplace opening when burning wood so that sparks and hot embers can't escape and start the carpet or furniture on fire.
5. Gas Fireplaces Need Maintenance Too: A gas fireplace requires the same maintenance as a wood-burning fireplace. Make sure you have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually and have your gas pilot light and other elements inspected and cleaned regularly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. And don’t forget to open the flue before turning the gas logs on to allow any unburned gas to vent up the chimney rather than in your home.
6. Don’t Forget the Fire Extinguisher: It is always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher available whenever you are using the fireplace. But make sure it is in working order by checking the pressure gauge to ensure it is in the “green,” and that the safety pin is intact and the nozzle unobstructed. You may also want to add a portable aerosol fire extinguisher as an added precaution.
7. Never Leave Fire Unattended: Never leave a fire in a fireplace unattended. Before leaving the house or going to bed, you should make certain to fully extinguish the fire or to completely turn off the gas logs. (oaklandcc.edu)
Why Is Homeowner's Insurance Required? Homeowner’s insurance pays for losses and damage to your property if something unexpected happens, like a fire or burglary. When you have a mortgage, your lender wants to make sure your property is
protected by insurance. That’s why lenders generally require proof that you have homeowner’s insurance. Standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover damage from earthquakes or floods, but it may be possible to add this coverage. Homeowner's insurance is also sometimes referred to as "hazard insurance". Many homeowners pay for their homeowner’s insurance through an escrow account as part of their monthly mortgage payment. You make the payments to the lender, and the lender holds the part of the payment that is for insurance in an escrow account. Then, when the bill for the insurance is due, the lender pays it from the escrow account. The cost of your homeowner’s insurance, as well as any similar insurance to protect the property, is listed on page one of your Loan Estimate, in the “Projected Payments” section. However, it’s usually a good idea to do your own research about how much homeowner’s insurance costs. You can shop separately for homeowner’s insurance and choose the provider and plan that is right for you. If you don’t have insurance, your lender is allowed to buy it for you and charge you for it—but your lender must give you advance notice. If your lender buys insurance on your home because you did not keep up your homeowner’s insurance, that insurance may only cover the lender, and not you. It also may be more expensive than what you could buy on your own. After the mortgage on your house is paid off, no one will force you to buy homeowners insurance. But your home may well be your largest asset and a standard homeowners policy not only insures the structure; it also covers your belongings in case of a disaster and offers liability protection in the event of an injury or property damage lawsuit.
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November
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