As the weather cools, risks for chimney fires heats up

As the weather cools, risks for chimney fires heats up

As the weather cools, Inter-Canyon firefighters prepare to respond to chimney fires. These fires can spread rapidly from the chimney into the surrounding structure and pose unique risks to homeowners and firefighters due to smoke, working on a slippery roof, and the heat of the fire.
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, such as the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District, 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.

Chimney and Fireplace Safety starts 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.

Safely Burn Fuels

Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

Recommendations provided by the US Fire Administration
Posted by Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue at 9:44 AM

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Thanks for the seasonal reminder! Having a pro clean out your chimney vs. kind of sort of doing it yourself? I'll have the pros do it every time! I'll add on that now is a good time to swap out batteries in your smoke and CO detectors.

We used Neptune Chimney this year (for the 1st. time) and all we have to say is "what a GREAT " job they did!!! Efficient, Professional, Fun and an EXCELLENT Price for the work they did....thank you Neptune...

We have also used Neptune Chimney. They do a great job at a very reasonable price.

I also had my chimney swept by Neptune. And the pipe straightened out since it was touching wood in a few places. Thank you for making my woodstove safe to use again!

Thanks, folks! We are here to serve!

Did notice one thing as I tried to burn my house down last night. Couldn't figure out why the woodstove and pipe were getting so hot. It wasn't plugged in. Just thought I would let you know.

pacamom wrote: Did notice one thing as I tried to burn my house down last night. Couldn't figure out why the woodstove and pipe were getting so hot. It wasn't plugged in. Just thought I would let you know.

I am glad we swept out the creosote then! Don't forget your blower, Paca