Concerns
We lived in our house several years before ever lighting the fireplace. It was recently cleaned and inspected, so we knew it was safe, but I was still a little unsure how to proceed. If you are in the same position, this article provides some helpful tips to give you confidence.
Supplies
Before lighting your fireplace, gather the necessary supplies: dry firewood, kindling, and long matches. You will also want to make sure to have a screen in place to prevent embers from escaping. Finally, some basic tools like a poker, shovel, and broom will be helpful for managing the fire and cleaning up afterwards.
Preparation
Start by opening the damper to ensure proper ventilation. If you're unsure what that is, watch the video for a demonstration. Arrange the kindling and firewood in a crisscross pattern to allow air to circulate. Light the kindling first, and then gradually add larger pieces of wood as the fire grows.