Fireplace plug

In combination:

• a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle;
• a telescoping prop device having a first end and a second end opposite thereof;
• and
• a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging the telescoping prop device, and a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.

A method of sealing a fireplace having a damper with a damper handle from air-leakages comprising the steps:

• providing a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the member for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging a prop device that sustains the fireplace sealing device, the bag-like member having a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, and a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member;
• partially inflating the bag-like member using the conduit;
• slitting the selectively slitable sealed area according to the placement of the damper handle and thereby providing a slit and a first portion of the bag-like member and a second portion of the bag-like member on opposite sides of the slit;
• inserting the bag-like member using the telescoping prop device into the fireplace such that the damper handle extends through the slit;
• overlapping the first portion and the second portion of the bag like member to accommodate the size of the fireplace;
• and
• inflating the bag-like member using the conduit to ensure a proper seal with the fireplace.