Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VT
Teresa Merelman, Broker, Pall Spera Company Realtors-Stowe, VTPhone: (802) 793-5171
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
A functional fireplace is an extremely sought-after feature in any home. Regardless of the climate, a fireplace can provide a special coziness and warmth for everyone to enjoy. However, it's important to practice fireplace safety habits and keep up with maintenance. Here are some basic tips for safely enjoying your fireplace at home:
Chimney sweeping should be left to the professionals, but you can still minimize some soot buildup yourself. The easiest way to do so is to only burn seasoned hardwood or manufactured logs as they burn cleaner than other types of firewood. After each fire, clean out the firebox by scooping dry ashes and toss them in a metal container.
It's important to burn only wood or manufactured logs in your fireplace. Other things like paper can be great kindling material to build a fire, but it can also fly up and out when burned in large amounts. Any paper with a glossy finish like photographs or magazine pages can release toxic fumes when they burn too. Stick to clean, simple fuel for the safest fire.
One often forgotten safety tip is to open a window when you light a fire. Not only will this help your fire burn efficiently, it will allow more oxygen into the room for easier breathing. A fire burns oxygen as well as wood, so the more you can add back into the environment, the safer it will be.
Be careful not to position furnishings or belongings too close to your fireplace. Even with a grate or glass door, fireplaces can put out tremendous heat, causing damage and possible fire risk. Embers can spark and fly out of your fireplace but won't cause any harm unless they fall onto something flammable. Keep area rugs, furniture and decor at a safe distance to have the safest possible fire.
Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include:
Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:
In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.
