To be honest I never heard of either one.

Right now it's minus 10 degrees outside so nobody I know is even thinking about those things. Everybody has a fire going.

Never heard of either myself, what are they, what do they do, why are they needed?

The Fireplace Balloon is a cylindrical balloon you insert in a fireplace above the damper that blocks drafts. You have to measure the fireplace.

The fireplace pillow is a flat inflatable cushion that you insert in the fireplace below the damper. You supposedly don't have to measure.

The Fireplace Blanket is a fireproof blanket with magnets on the edge you attach to the fireplace to cut off drafts.

They aren't *needed*, exactly, but I'm told a house loses a lot of heat from fireplaces. I was looking for low-effort solutions to stop heat loss that can easily be removed if we want a fire.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chimney Balloon

I would cut a piece of closed cell insulation to fit tightly. Attach a strap on it to pull it out easily. Don't forget it's there before you light a fire. Leave the strap long enough to have it clearly visible reminding you it is in the flue.

Now I have a name for that thing I made for the wood stove in the camp up north.