Chimney Fire Awareness

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

Chimney fires don't have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid them :

• Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations)

• Build smaller, hotter fires that bum more completely and produce less smoke

• Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimney fire

• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as needed

• Have the chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.

• According to the latest statistics available, there are over25,000 Chimney Fires per year in the US that are responsible for over 125 million dollars in property damage. The most sobering statistics relate to deaths and injuries that can result from chimney fires that spread into house fires.