Why do Some People Object to Open Fireplaces?
There are several concerns about open fireplaces which lead some people to object to them, primarily on environmental and safety grounds. Many of these people point out that there are alternatives to open fireplaces which are safer, more efficient, and more environmentally sound, and they encourage people to consider these alternatives in lieu of installing or upgrading an open fireplace. These objections are certainly worthy of consideration, especially when one considers that several cities in the world are considering bans on open fireplaces. From a safety standpoint, an open fireplace can be extremely dangerous. Because the fireplace is open to the room, sparks can easily fly out and start a fire, or logs can roll out of the fireplace and onto the floor. Many open fireplaces have screens and guards in place to prevent this, but it is still possible for sparks to slip through, and some of them can smolder for a surprisingly long period of time in carpeting or couches before catching
