In winter, there's nothing better than cosying up in front of the fireplace with a good book, hot drink, or your favorite film. But, while a lit fire may look and feel beautiful, you should never forgo safety measures.
That includes having a pot of sand next to the fireplace to quickly put out a fire if needed. Our fire safety pros say it's a must-have, and we love the stylish but practical stainless steel Canister available at Amazon that you can fill with sand.
Here, our experts explain why it's one of the best ways to tackle any common fire risks in your home.
You Need This Fire-Side Addition in Your Home This Winter
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This stainless steel canister is strong and durable, with a 12-litre capacity and a lid with locking clamps. It's also available in six, 21, 33, and 48-litre sizes. It looks chic but serves a vital purpose: Keeping sand inside will help you snuff out fires quickly in an emergency.
While you may know how to start a fire in a fireplace, it's equally important, if not more so, to know how to put one out fast, too.
For this, Tamer Sayed, lead HVAC and furnace expert at Tamas Mechanical, advises, 'Having a nearby fire-smothering sand is a great safety practice when using the furnace. Sand is non-combustible, and unlike water, it won't freeze [or expire] when left idly in winter.
'While the sand is the one with practical use, its bucket or container can be stylish and add to the aesthetics or ambiance of the room,' which is why we recommend the DYNAMI 304 Stainless Steel Canister available at Amazon.
In terms of how this works, Tamer explains that sand smothers fire by blocking oxygen in the air from getting to the fire, which is essential for combustion. 'Sand works almost instantly, which reduces the risk of the fire from spreading,' he says.
Importantly, adds Eli Zimmer, CEO at Luxaire HVAC Services, with gas-burning fireplaces, you'll need a special kind of fire-smothering sand, silica sand, available at Amazon, which he also recommends for wood-burning fireplaces.
As for the volume, Eli adds that it's best to have at least five gallons of sand on hand for the average fireplace, as that tends to be enough to cover everything with a few inches. But if you have a bigger furnace, you may need more.
It's also advisable, says Brandon Torres, an HVAC installer with ACFurnaceShop.com, to keep another four-gallon bucket elsewhere on the same floor of your home, 'just in case you need it.'
How to Use Fire-Smothering Sand
Luckily, using sand as a kind of fire extinguisher is easy.
Sunaree Ko, a fire safety expert at Fire Marshal Training, advises, 'In real life, it is done by slowly pouring the sand directly on the fire or hot embers until they are completely covered.' You may also want to use a large metal scoop, such as the Fire Beauty Fireplace Shovel available at Amazon, to spread the sand gently over the base of the fire.
'The container should be light enough for anyone to lift, stable, and kept in close proximity to the fireplace so that one can reach it without going through the hazardous area,' continues Sunaree, without any blocks or furniture in the way.
In particular, says Kelly Russum, owner of KC's 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning, sand works faster than an extinguisher and is safer than water, as both water and extinguishers can damage the firebox and masonry.
'Water and fire extinguishers work very differently from sand,' he explains. 'Water and extinguishers shut down fire through physical and chemical mechanisms, not by blocking oxygen. Water works mostly because of a thermal shock – water just lowers the temperature of a fire, and a fire can't stay alive without the heat.
'That thermal shock can help the fire go out, but can also crack firebricks and the flue liner because they are made of brittle masonry materials that are sensitive to such sudden temperature changes. Extinguishers work on a chemical level and interrupt the oxygen-fuel reaction that is necessary for a fire to keep burning.'
And, of course, stresses Brandon, 'If the fire is hard to manage, call emergency services right away.' This is extremely important to avoid any irreparable damage to your home or danger to your health.
At this time of year, we also recommend keeping these Christmas mistakes that increase the risk of home fires in mind, like using faulty tree lights, space heaters, overloading outlets, and more.
Shop Fire Safety Essentials
This sleek and discreet canister should fit right in with any fireplace ideas without disturbing your decor. This is important as it must be stored out in the open and accessible for when you may need it, rather than hidden away in a cupboard.
This fire-resistant shovel is made to last, constructed of heavy-gauge steel, and can be used to effectively spread sand over your fire quickly and with ease. The durable leather strap makes it easy to hang where it's needed.
This emergency fire blanket extinguishes fires quickly and with no mess, and is effective on both liquid and grease fires. Unlike traditional extinguishers, and more like sand, it also never expires.
This fire extinguisher features an easy-to-pull safety pin and is compact and lightweight for easy storage and use. It can be used to tackle basic home fires involving trash, wood, paper, liquids, gases, and electrical equipment.
These smoke alarms, available in a pack of three, provide continuous 24/7 protection and use an advanced photoelectric sensor for quick and accurate detection.
This complete set contains everything you need to light and tend to your fire, with five tools, including a brush, poker, tongs, and shovel, with ergonomic handles that insulate heat for comfortable use.
Meet the Experts
You can also use baking soda as an effective and environmentally-friendly fire extinguisher, and should take the time to clean your fireplace to keep it looking its best without the risk of spreading fire.
