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Fireplace
Safety
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 Apple Valley Fire Department 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.
- Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces.
- Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
- 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.
Burn Safely
- 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.
Safe Disposal of
Ashes
Hot ashes from charcoal grills or fireplaces can be
dangerous. These ashes and coals, when removed from
their burners, should be stored for disposal in metal
containers until they are cool. Ashes can stay hot for days
after being taken from their burners. Too many people
empty their ashes into a paper bag or cardboard box and set
them in the trash area of their garage until trash pickup day.
This is a very dangerous fire hazard. Ashes can easily
rekindle and burst into flames causing a house fire.
To keep your home and family fire safe, please put your hot
ashes in a metal container with a cover. These cans should
be kept outside or may be stored inside a building if kept
clear of combustible materials.
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.
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.
Content updated on:
28-Dec-2007
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