I'm a fireplace newbie have many questions and a few concerns.?

[tanmanjones]

Just moved out on my own from southern United States to North(much colder). Have central heat but also a large quantity of free split firewood.
Chimney doesn't look like its been used in a long time(very clean/waxed/painted). I have matches and wood ! What else do I need to know. Older house with full size basement and upstairs is empty (duplex). Any danger to pipes downstairs ?
Please show me how to tie my shoes !

 

[Herbie]

If the fireplace has been painted and waxed actually inside there might be a danger of the coatings burning off when you first light a fire, so look out - it might be best to remove them and get back to the original firebrick. There should be no danger of any other kind - except occasionally you can get wood that spits sparks out of the fireplace, so you might like to use a spark guard when you're out of the room.Also a good idea to have a hearthrug to protect your carpet just in case - this will also be nice to sit on when you curl up in front of your fire. (I do anyway!)
You can light the fire with a bought firelighter or you can use paper and sticks. Take about three sheets of newspaper, roll them diagonally and tie each one into a loose knot. Put a couple of pieces of your firewood round the back of the fireplace to make a sort of nest for the paper, which then goes in the centre. If you have some small thinner bits of wood, dry twigs etc, lay them over the paper, and then put one or two larger pieces of wood over them. Then light the paper and away you go. Remember to empty the ashes out next morning. Another point I've just remembered - you will probably find some way of regulating the air flow to the grate, with the front hingeing up a bit or with a little gap with an adjustable shutter. Opening this up to maximum helps to get the fire going. You can later slow it down by shutting it half way down. Enjoy!