Whether your fireplace is there for show or if its utilitarian, it can be the showpiece of your home. Proper cleaning and maintenance are necessary for safety and ambiance. There are wood-burning, gas-fired and electric fireplaces that will warm your toes and be the focal point of the room. Wood or pellet stoves are often more functional than decorative and can provide heat throughout your home.

When most people think of a fireplace, they conjure a vision of a large, flame-licking opening. Cast-iron, wood-burning and pellet stoves can be things of beauty, too, but they are often relegated to basements and first floors of your home instead of used as a central piece of decor. Always keep children and pets away from the combustibles, flames and heat. It's obvious that flames are hot. The heat will linger, so a fireplace or stove should not be touched. Glass doors and/or fireplace screens can help to maintain some distance. Make sure your home is equipped with functioning smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors.

Before starting a fire, open the damper completely and look up (if possible) to make sure the chimney is clear; a light soot covering is OK, but anything heavier or bubbled means there is a creosote build-up, which could catch fire from sparks. It's recommended to have a professional inspection and chimney sweep every year to help ensure safety. Make sure your chimney is kept free of overhanging tree branches and has a chimney cap to prevent birds from building nests in the chimney or flying sparks from landing on your roof. If you have a decorative mantel above your fireplace, always keep it free of clutter and heavy dust.

To clean your fireplace, ash from previous fires needs to be cleaned out using a small shovel and metal pail -- always make sure that the ash is completely cool before scooping it out, usually no less than 12 hours after the most recent fire. Make sure you use a metal pail and remove the pail from the house and away from any structures, trees or bushes. Throughout the burn season, leave a thin layer of ash at the bottom to act as insulation, but after the last fire of the season, scoop it completely clean to avoid the alkaline build-up that can damage the fire floor. Use a firm bristle dry brush to wipe down the ash from the side and back walls.

A burning fire tends to settle soot from the smoke around the opening, which should be cleaned periodically. Brush the dust off the andirons and grate, then take them outside to clean, or use a thick layer of newspaper over a non-porous floor and spray using a mild solution of dish detergent and water (1/4 cup detergent to one gallon of water). Using the same solution in a spray bottle, lightly mist the fireplace, and then wipe it down before allowing it to soak in. Marble and tile may need a pre-soak of this solution before wiping down with soft rags. If you have a brick fireplace that is more than 50-years-old, vacuum the brick using a soft brush and do not scour it.

To clean a wrought iron wood-burning stove, remove the ashes (as above) and wipe down the exterior with a mild detergent and water solution. Periodically, you can use a damp rag with a mild distilled vinegar and water over the exterior wrought iron surfaces; do not use the vinegar on wooden handles. To clean a gas-powered fireplace, make sure the gas valves are OFF and the burners have cooled completely. Vacuum the interior of the fireplace thoroughly, and wipe down the outside with the detergent and water solution, then wipe it dry. Clean glass doors with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and paper towels. If you need to scrub, use a small amount of ash on the towels to give it some grit. Electric fireplaces do not burn real fires, so you'll only need periodic wiping with a damp (not wet) rag on its exterior. Use a vacuum on any openings, and always unplug it before any cleaning is done.