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The best way to store firewood is outdoors and away from your home, shed, or garage. Stacking wood against your house can be a fire hazard and attract unwanted pests. Store your firewood under a shelter where it's protected from rain and snow but still exposed to sunlight and open air. You can lay a tarp on top to help keep moisture out.

Chimneys should either be sealed or waterproofed, which is different from sealing off—closing at both ends—a chimney. Waterproofing and sealing are both crucial steps to take to prevent water damage and the chimney leaking inside the house. While waterproofing is more comprehensive, both help safeguard your chimney, extending its life span and preventing expensive repairs. 

Yes, a faulty or broken light switch can be a serious fire hazard. Malfunctioning switches often result from loose wiring, exposed connections, or other electrical problems that can cause overheating or sparking. Warning signs include crackling, popping, or hissing sounds when you flip the switch, which indicates live electricity that could ignite nearby flammable materials. If you suspect your light switch is faulty, immediately turn off the power at the circuit breaker and contact a qualified electrician to remedy the issue.

You should not attempt to disable a smoke alarm unless you’ve already activated a replacement unit. To stop a hardwired smoke alarm from beeping, reset the device or silence the alarm. If you’re removing a hardwired alarm, shut off the power, turn the unit counterclockwise to remove it from the ceiling, and disconnect the wiring.