When temperatures drop and winter winds begin to blow, nothing is cozier than a seat by the fire. Yet according to the U.S. Fire Administration, residential heating fires peak in January and February. Follow these guidelines to enjoy your wood burning fireplace safely.
Hire a Chimney Sweep to Clean and Inspect Your Chimney
Your fireplace should be cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep at least once per year. "It's maintenance, just like you clean up a room in your house," says Jazmine Kilpatrick, Senior Community Educator with the Winston-Salem Fire Department in Winston-Salem, N.C. "The clutter- you have to clean up your fireplace."
The clutter Kilpatrick describes is creosote. Creosote is a carbon-based by-product of burning wood. As smoke rises in the chimney, it cools and condenses, leaving a layer of creosote.
"Creosote is unused energy," explains Any Noble, owner and operator of Top to Bottom Chimney Services in Winston-Salem, N.C.
If allowed to accumulate, creosote can ignite and start a chimney fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, creosote fires cause up to $35 million of property damage each year.
The exterior chimney should be clutter-free as well. Overhanging tree branches should be removed from the chimney area and vines pulled from the masonry. A chimney cap should be installed to keep out birds and other wildlife.
The chimney should be checked for structural damage. A chimney can be damaged by lightening or even earthquakes. After an earthquake in August 2011 rocked the east coast of the United States, FEMA warned homeowners in central Virginia to have their chimneys inspected.
Keep Flammable Objects Away from the Hearth
Establish a three to five-foot "clear" area around the hearth. Burning wood can throw sparks three feet or more. Move all combustible items such as furniture, books or papers three to five feet away from the fire. Always place a spark screen in front of the fire.
Never leave pets or small children unsupervised near a fire. Make certain they stay three to five feet from the flames as well.
Never leave a fire unattended. Never leave your home or go to bed while a fire is burning in your fireplace. Wait until the fire is completely out.
Safe Fuels for the Woodburning Fireplace
Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood. "Green" or unseasoned wood has a high moisture content and leaves heavier creosote deposits. To properly season wood, stack it outdoors for at least six months. Cover the top of the stack, but leave the sides open to the weather. Well-seasoned wood will have a dark color and sound hollow when struck.
Never burn particle board, treated wood, painted wood or any composite wood product. These items will release toxic fumes when burned.
Never burn household trash such as foam, plastic, magazines or advertising circulars. These can also release toxic fumes, or cause a fire to flare unexpectedly.
Never use kerosene, charcoal starter or any liquid fuel in your fireplace. Like household trash, these items can cause a fire to suddenly blaze out of control, says chimney sweep Andy Noble.
"If you get that flame through the damper with the Christmas wrapping paper or the cup of kerosene, that's when it finds those [creosote] deposits on those walls. And that's when they ignite."
Jazmine Kilpatrick warns that that fire could also flare suddenly into the room.
"It [trash] will start a fire and it will expand into your livingroom or den and burn your whole house down."
Keep the size of the fire in proportion to the fireplace. The fire should be securely contained by the fireplace. If flames begin to flare out over the hearth or if the tips of the flames disappear up the chimney, the fire is too big. Allow it to die down and resist the urge to add more fuel.
Discard ash safely. Ashes can remain dangerously hot long after the fire is out. Give ash plenty of time to cool completely and then transfer it to a metal container with a metal lid. The container should be kept at least ten feet from your home, preferably on a brick or concrete base. Make sure it isn't near shrubbery or other combustibles
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives and Property
Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home (including the attic) and outside all sleeping areas. According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2005-2006 62% of all home fire deaths happened in homes without smoke detectors.
Install carbon monoxide detectors outside all sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide is often called a "silent killer" because it is odorless and tasteless. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that up to 170 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Test and maintain all carbon monoxide detectors regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Have an Escape Plan in Case of Fire
Create an evacuation plan tailored to your household. Consider the age and physical condition of everyone in the family, the placement of exterior doors and the quickest, safest route away from the building. Your evacuation plan should cover these points:
- Does your family include small children or loved ones with mobility issues? Assign a family member to help them exit the home.
- Design escape routes that take the unique features of your home into account, including staircases, multiple levels and alternate exits.
- Choose a location at a safe distance from your home for everyone to meet after they have evacuated.
- Practice your plan regularly to ensure that everyone understands what they need to do.
Enjoy a cozy winter evening by the fire knowing you have taken these simple, common-sense precautions.
Sources
- National Fire Protection Association (Online): "U.S. Home Heating Equipment Fires Fact Sheet"(John R. Hall/Staff, Nov. 2011).
- National Fire Protection Association (Online): "Carbon Monoxide" (Jennifer Flynn/Staff, June 2007).
- National Fire Protection Association (Online): "Basic Fire Escape Planning" (Staff, 2012).
- EPA (Online) "Consumers- Best Burn Practices"(Staff, Nov. 2011).
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Online)"Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers" (Staff, 2012).
- FEMA Media Library(Online): "Earthquake Chimney Inspection/Repair" (Staff, 2012).
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