How do you know if your fireplace vent is open or closed?
Visually Check
You should be able to reach up and touch the closed damper. If you have a top-mount damper, check for daylight at the top of the flue. If you can’t see daylight at the top, the damper is closed.
How do you open a chimney flue?
If you have a push or lift rod, push or lift it all the way to open the damper. If there is a rotary control, you can turn it clockwise as far as it can go. If you have a top-mount damper, pull on the chain. If it can be pulled down before springing back up, the damper is open.
Should the fireplace vent be open?
The fireplace damper should always be in the open position whenever you have a fire in the fireplace. Never close the damper or leave the fireplace unattended while there is a fire in the fireplace. This is not only a fire hazard, it can also cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.