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A fireplace hearth is necessary in most areas per building codes, especially for gas and wood-burning fireplaces. Electric fireplaces may not require a hearth, so check local building codes or ask a pro for guidance if you’re leaning toward electric. A fireplace hearth can decrease the risk of flying embers creating a fire and burning your home down. That’s why fireproof material, like tile, is used for the hearth.

No, a chirping smoke alarm is usually a sign of an issue with the power supply of the unit. This is easily solved by replacing the battery to stop the smoke alarm from beeping. If the chirp continues, review the owner’s manual to determine the cause. These chirps are short and not as loud as the beeping of the alarm itself. If you can’t tell the difference, it’s best to treat it like an activated alarm until you find the cause. 

Yes. Even when it’s not in use, an outlet is still connected to wiring, and if the wiring is faulty or wet, a fire can occur. Broken outlets can also cause fires, for the same reasons; in fact, most broken outlets are broken due to damaged or worn-out wiring. It’s worth replacing outlets that are old or damaged with the help of an electrician.

No material is genuinely fireproof, so there’s no genuinely fireproof safe. Any material would break down if exposed to a hot enough temperature for long enough. That said, safes can withstand certain house fires. Manufacturers use the term “fireproof” synonymously with “fire resistant.”