News and event updates are posted to keep you updated at what we are doing and keeping you informed about your chimney and fireplace.
Winter Chimney Fires
A rash of residential home fires have been at attributed to people not understanding the importance of fireplace and chimney safety. This is crucial especial as the temperatures drop and people are more likely to start using their fireplaces and chimneys to heat their homes. They must be inspected and cleaning annually to ensure that you don’t run the risk of having one of these chimney fires happen to you. For more information watch our video on chimney and fireplace safety conducted by one of our Field Supervisors. Its on our Staying Safe During the Winter Information page. Don’t let this happen to you and your family. The Fireplace Doctor wants everyone to have a safe, happy and warm holiday season.
Fireplace and Home Fire Safety
More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.
Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility …Fire Stops With You!
Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean
- Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
- Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
- Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.
- Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.
- Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
- Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
- Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
- Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.
Resource from: U.S. Fire Administration
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