Forgetting to open the fireplace damper — and then having the house fill with smoke — is a common mistake. When it happened to Lucile Berkowitz, 85, during the windstorm and power failure of Dec. 14, ...

Before starting a fire, open the fireplace damper so smoke can properly exit through the chimney. Use kiln-dried firewood for the cleanest burn and least chimney build-up. Kindling lights quickly, but ...

For safety, fireplaces are designed to route smoke out of the house through the chimney. If there's a problem, however, you ...

As the cooler temperatures take root, it is tempting to fire up the fireplace. However, before striking that first match or turning the gas on, we caution you to practice good fireplace safety.