860-347-3895 Dennis Bishop CT Lic. 0649945 info@cleansweepchimneyservice.com

Blog_ChimneyFireChimney fires don’t have to happen!

Keep the Fire You Want …

from Starting One You Don’t

 
 
 

Here are some ways to avoid them:

  • Have your chimney inspected annually by a qualified professional and cleaned when necessary.
  • Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations).
  • Build smaller, hotter fires that burn 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.

What to Do if You Have a Chimney Fire

If you realize a chimney fire is occurring, follow these steps:

  • Get everyone out of the house, including yourself.
  • Call the fire department.
  • If you can do so without risk to yourself, these additional steps may help save your home. Remember, however, that homes are replaceable, lives are not:
  • Put a chimney fire extinguisher into the fireplace or wood stove.
  • Close the glass doors on the fireplace.
  • Close the inlets on the wood stove.
  • Use a garden hose to spray down the roof (not the chimney) so the fire won’t spread to the rest of the structure.

For more information, visit Chimney Safety Institute of America.