FIREPLACES ARE HAZARDOUS MOST WHEN NOT USED YEAR AROUND. USING THE BASIC RULES OF FIREPLACE SAFETY CAN REALLY PAY OFF.
Those who own a fireplace will claim that they “are the best”…many of those that don’t wish that they had one, especially if they life in Illinois. Illinois Winters can be long and cold which usually means a lot of time inside your home. The warm glow and heat transmitted from a fireplace can not only be aesthetic but a second form of heat for a home.
First Fireplace Burn of the Year merits the most caution
Baby, it’s cold outside and now it’s time to light up the fireplace. You’ve got ‘er started but what’s this!? Smoke?? Where’s that coming from? It takes a couple of seconds to realize that you forgot to open the flue! Smoke is in the living room and now family members are coughing instead of celebrating. Summer fans come out and the windows are thrown open. This scenario might sound familiar to some…we won’t tell. And, take heart. You’re not alone. When the fireplace is dormant for 8 months or more, it’s hard to remember all the steps in lighting a fireplace safely.
Preventive Maintenance Is Best
Make your fireplace part of your yearly home maintenance schedule
Homes with fireplaces require attention at least once-a-year. Depending on how frequently you “burn”, you may have to increase that schedule. The more you burn your fireplace the more chance it can build up creosote in the chimney and eventually it can trigger a chimney fire. Chimney fires are serious. 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. Chimney-related fires are also responsible for deaths and injuries that can result from chimney fires that spread into house fires.
Reviewing a fireplace safety check list for homes with fireplaces can prevent the majority of potential hazards.
- Do not use your fireplace as furnace
- Leave your fireplace on for a maximum of three hours at a time
- Never leave a fire unattended, especially when children are present
- Always check that the damper flute is open before lighting a fireplace
- Use dry wood; smaller pieces of wood burn faster and create less smoke
- Keep the area around fireplace clear for items that are flammable can catch a spark from fire
- Clean fireplace ashes out after every use
- Inspect your fireplace for unusual items and animals
- Hire an expert to inspect fireplace and chimney at least once a year (more if you burn more frequently)
Insurance Agent, Jason Herbers visited the Saint Charles Fire Department in Saint Charles, Illinois recently. Speaking with Lt. Tarro with SCFD, they discussed fireplace safety.
See the safety video below.
