The price of energy is going up. Everybody knows that, and sooner or later, everybody will feel the crunch of increased energy costs. Most people recognize that in the cost of gasoline and how that has a ripple effect in their entire lives. For example, the cost of food is also rising with the cost of gas. This is because of the cost of shipping. Airlines are feeling the crunch, and tickets and the price of luggage has gone up accordingly. Things are going to get worse before they get better in many cases, and so more and more people are turning to fireplaces and stoves. These items can be installed in most homes, and they can burn everything from wood, to coal, to corn, to pellets. Instead of paying insanely expensive oil or gas prices, people are burning their own fuel and their own rates in an attempt to control the cost of heat. But with the growing number of fireplaces comes the growing likelihood of danger to family members and to the home. Before you put a fireplace or stove in your home, you need to research proper fire safety and teach that safety to your children and everybody else who might be staying in or visiting your home. Ultimately, taking the relatively small amount of time necessary to educate yourself on fire and fire safety can save your home, your loved ones, and your life. Don’t shirk on this responsibility, or plan to get around to it later. It should be the first thing you do.