Get matched with top fire pit installation pros in Robinhood, MS

While adding fire sprinklers to your home, you may want to consider other fire prevention and protective measures. Get your smoke alarms and CO alarms inspected and replaced, if needed. Add fire doors to vulnerable areas of your home. Inspect or purchase fire extinguishers. For exterior protection, consider fire-smart landscaping practices .

Yes, fire extinguishers eventually expire. However, the good news is that a properly stored fire extinguisher can last a decade or longer. They don’t have an expiration date on the canister, but you can check the manufacturing date on the “UL” nameplate near the classification information. Maintenance will also give your fire extinguisher longevity. Check the gauge at the top of the extinguisher every month. You'll want to make sure the gauge needle is in the green section, and if a hose or nozzle has been used or damaged, you need to replace it.

The short answer is yes, but the longer answer is more complex. Unless the fireplace is ventless by design, you’ll need some type of exhaust pipe system to safely send fumes and other harmful byproducts out of the house. Even then, ventless fireplaces are not always permitted because they do keep the byproducts inside of your house. Ventless fireplaces are safest when installed in spaces that are themselves well-ventilated, like large rooms with lots of windows.

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.