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If Safety Is A Concern To You, Then Gas Is The Way To Go!

Who doesn’t like curling up with a good book in front of the fireplace during the snow days of winter?  The constant crackling and warm glow emanating from the fireplace can be very therapeutic to some but on the other side of the coin, leave you and your home and risk. If you are considering installing a fireplace in your home or thinking about switching fuel sources, then this article is for you. By highlighting some of the most important safety concerns, we hope to turn your opinion in favor of gas!

Make Life Easier With A Gas Fireplace

Constant Cleaning of A Wood Fireplace Is Required To Prevent House Fires
The National Fire Protection Association has stated that the 30% of home heating fires were a direct result of failure to properly clean the ashes from a wood fireplace. This statistic is alarming considering wood is still the dominant source of fuel among homeowners throughout the US.  With gas fireplaces, that risk is non-existent!

Operation of A Gas Fireplace Is As Easy As Turning A Dial
Although this criterion doesn’t apply to everybody owning a wood fireplace, homeowners particularly in rural or mountainous regions of the country frequently take it upon themselves to collect the firewood. This might seem insignificant but if you run out of wood in a desperate situation without a backup plan or “drop-off” scheduled, it’s possible to go days without the fuel.

The ease of use that a gas fireplace offers is second-to-none. All it takes is a flick of a switch or a turn of a dial and the fire is lit!  The days of chopping wood and scavenging the forest are over and done with!

Wood Smoke Exposure Can Cause Long-Term Health Issues
Exposure to smoke from a wood fireplace has the potential to increase the risk of asthma attacks, aggravate lung disease, and increase the chance of respiratory infections.  During the winter it is common for homeowners to use their fireplace every day, so those long-term effects can be damaging especially without proper ventilation.

In The Event of An Unlikely Gas Leak, You Can Take Action Quickly
If a few embers fly over the safety mesh on your fireplace, they have the potential to quickly cause damage to the surrounding area.  At the very least you’ll have a few burn marks on your carpet or furniture but at the worst, you could lose a room or your entire home because of the spreading fire.

With a gas fireplace, in the event of a leak, there are detectors that will alert you as soon as the leak begins.  When the alarm sounds, all that is required is turning the knob or flicking the switch to the off position! Easy peasy, right?  

Which Fireplace Is Right For You?

Ultimately it comes down to whatever you decide you like.  There are other factors to consider such as aroma, aesthetics, and the size of your home, but if safety is your primary concern then gas is the easy choice!

What are your experiences? If you’re a homeowner with either a gas or wood-burning fireplace, we’d love to hear from you!