How Safe are Gas Fireplaces?

Having a fireplace is a luxury, but also a responsibility. But contrary to what you might think, gas fireplaces are a lot safer than ordinary fireplaces using wood. Our colleagues in Gas Fireplace Repair Long Island gave us a little run through of how gas fireplaces work, and we learned that they need no matches, no sparks, no soot and produce no smoke or backdrafts. With that in mind, gas fireplaces are still a responsibility you need to take seriously. Here are a couple of precautions you should take with your modern fireplace:

  • Respect the Clearance Zones. In other words, don’t put anything flammable near your fireplace. Keep paper, wood, drapes, books and such things away from it.
  • Keep Your Fireplace in Good Condition. This doesn’t mean you need to clean it every week or month like you would with an ordinary fireplace. Yearly maintenance at the beginning winter/end of autumn is generally sufficient.
  • Make Sure the Safety Screen Barrier is Secure. The saftey screen barrier is a mesh screen covering the glass on the front of the fireplace, acting as a barrier between the dangerously hot glass and any people in your home.
  • Get a Heat Barrier with Double Glass. Normally, gas fireplaces come with a single panel of glass at the front, but you can get an upgrade with an extra pane which makes it a lot safer

With these precautions, you’re all set to fully enjoy your gas fireplace!