Get ready for winter by preparing your fireplace with these essentials.

During the colder months and holiday season, nothing beats the warmth and comfort of a crackling fire in a cozy home.

To enhance your winter fireplace experience, whether you're a seasoned pro or a new user, having the right tools and accessories is crucial. Here are ten essential items to keep you warm and safe throughout the season.

The Best Choice at Amazon fireplace screen prevents sparks and embers from escaping and safeguards your floor and furnishings. Its wrought iron geometric design adds a fashionable touch to your room. This two-panel design, with magnetic panels and sturdy foot panels, provides easy access to the fire. It is available in gold or black. If you prefer a one-panel option, the Teshana screen from Wayfair is a stylish choice.

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A chic and compact firewood rack is available on Wayfair, featuring a brass metal U-shape design and providing a designated space to store firewood. This firewood caddy is 12x12 and freestanding, keeping logs dry, organized, and within reach. On Amazon, there's a firewood rack option under $30 that holds up to 275 lbs of logs.

Fireplace tools such as a poker, shovel, brush, and tongs are crucial for maintaining the fire, managing logs, and cleaning the hearth. A decorative gold set like the one by Outsunny at Home Depot for under $60 includes all the necessary tools and a stand, with a unique finish that can withstand heat and the elements. On Amazon, there are various options available, including this modern-looking fireplace tool set for just under $35.

An ash bucket with a lid, such as this one by Amagabeli at Walmart, is a durable and stable option that ensures the ashes stay contained precisely where you put them. After the fire has burned down and the ashes have cooled, you can use a small shovel to scoop the ashes into the ash bucket. This keeps the ashes contained, preventing dust from spreading around your home.

A moisture meter is essential for ensuring that wood is properly dried, which is crucial for efficient burning and reducing dangerous creosote buildup. A battery-powered moisture meter that can test up to 50 different types of wood is available at Walmart. Alternatively, a pinless moisture meter that can detect moisture up to three quarters of an inch is available at Home Depot.

This cast iron kindling splitter available at Walmart is designed to make splitting wood into smaller pieces (kindling) faster and safer than using an axe or hatchet. It makes creating kindling from larger logs easy and secure, essential for starting a fire. Its stationary blade allows hands-free splitting, minimizing the chance of accidental injury from flying wood or a misaimed axe. This kindling splitter from Amazon is a similar style and comes with free shipping if you’re a Prime member.

This Master Forge bellows at Lowe's offers a quick burst of air to stoke the fire without blowing directly onto it. It has a sturdy steel frame with leather support and can be hung for easy access. If you prefer a more modern option, this electric Zippo bellows on Amazon is powered by batteries for all your blowing needs.

Fire starters are a convenient and safe way to start a fire quickly and easily, without the need for excessive kindling or paper. They are a mess-free alternative to lighter fluid and only one pod is required to get a roaring fire going. Fire starters are non-toxic and safe for use on grills. Duraflame is a trusted brand that offers fire starters at a similar price. You can purchase a 24-pack of fire starters on Amazon for under $30 with fast, free shipping if you are an Amazon Prime member.

This Goods of the Woods hearth rug at Amazon shields your floors from stray sparks, hot embers, and ash while adding warmth and style to your room. With over 20 designs to choose from, it boasts a soft texture underfoot and is constructed to withstand fire. If you're on a tighter budget, this black fireplace mat under $30 is an affordable alternative that still gets the job done.

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A carbon monoxide detector by First Alert at Lowe's near your fireplace offers peace of mind by detecting harmful gases and smoke. This device safely plugs into any standard electrical socket and uses an electrochemical sensor. It has a backup battery and sounds an 85-decibel horn when danger is detected. The same carbon monoxide detector is available on Amazon.