If your new house plans include a fireplace, now's the time to get your safety plan in order. A fireplace can add warmth and value to your home. But, you do need to ensure fire safety. That's where a plan becomes beneficial. If you've never used a fireplace before, read the list below. Here are four fire safety tips to follow with your new fireplace. 

Ensure Annual Fireplace Service

Fireplace season is officially over. But, you'll be using your new fireplace soon enough. That's why now is the right time to contact a fireplace maintenance service. When winter does arrive, you'll want to get your new fireplace inspected before you use it. Birds could have built their nests inside the chimney. Unfortunately, the nesting material is quite flammable. After the initial service, you need to have your fireplace cleaned at least once a year. Annual cleaning removes the creosote and soot that can lead to chimney fires. 

Avoid Burning Scrap Materials

If you're building a wood-burning fireplace in your new home, watch what you burn. You might get tempted to burn scrap wood, paper, and other materials in your new fireplace. Burning scrap material in your fireplace increases the risk of fire. Burning scrap material also increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Avoid those risks. Burn only dry, untreated firewood in your fireplace. 

Maintain a Clean Firebox

If you want to ensure fireplace safety, maintain a clean firebox. The firebox can get quite dirty. Unfortunately, a dirty firebox can lead to chimney fires. That doesn't mean you need to wipe down the inside of the fireplace. It does mean that you need to remove soot and ash before each new fire. Removing soot and ash reduces the risk of chimney fires. Keep an ash can on your fireplace hearth. That way, you can remove the ash and soot before you start a new fire in your fireplace. For safety reasons, never remove hot ash from the fireplace. 

Invest in the Right Tools

Now that you're building a new fireplace, don't forget about the tools. You might not know this, but you need a set of tools for your fireplace. First, make sure your fireplace is equipped with a mesh screen. Mesh screens keep hot embers inside the firebox. Next, get a shovel and broom for use with your ash can. It's also a good idea to place a fire extinguisher near your fireplace. As an added safety feature, include a log grabber. That way, you don't have to get your hands near the fire when you add logs.