Too many people are unaware of just how susceptible their chimney is to a fire. Every year, there are around 400 thousand chimney fires in the US. That’s why we’ve put together this informative guide to teach you how to prevent these fires.
In general, if there’s one thing that will help keep fires at bay and make sure that your chimney stays safe and sound, it’s prevention and regular chimney inspections.
Cleaning your chimney
Dirty, clogged chimneys are prime breeding grounds for fires; clean chimneys can prevent fires. Therefore, it’s recommended that you keep your chimney clean at all times. Use tools such as a strong vacuum or a blowtorch to clear out everything from dust and soot all the way down to leaves and twigs on its way out of the chimney.
Keeping your fireplace free of combustible materials
If you have any wooden furniture or anything else that can easily catch fire sitting right next to the fireplace, remove it from there. Make sure that you have nothing flammable inside the fireplace itself—not even in the form of ashes. Also, keep in mind that most materials can burn if exposed to a spark, so don’t let your shield burn down to just a few centimeters!
Keeping your fireplace well-ventilated
This can reduce the risk of fire to a great extent. If combustion creates smoke, make sure that you find some way to clean it up.
Ventilate your fireplace regularly and be sure to keep your surrounding area free from smoke as well. This will also help you and any people living in your home breathe easier and cleaner air when near the chimney.
Using a fireplace screen
Keeping a screen in front of your fireplace is a great way to keep embers from flying out and starting a fire somewhere else! The mesh covering used to make such screens can usually withstand high temperatures and won’t allow embers or sparks to escape once you’ve placed it over your fireplace opening. Check for any holes in the mesh and use tape or some other kind of fixative to correct them.
Having a fire extinguisher on hand
It’s easier to extinguish a small, manageable fire than it is a large one—so be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby. Keep it on the floor, not high up on the wall where people may be unable to reach it. Refill it every few months—you don’t want it to run out of water in the middle of an emergency.
Not burning too much wood at once
Combustion can create sparks and these sparks may ignite combustible materials nearby the chimney opening. You can prevent this by not burning more wood than what fits inside the fireplace. This should be enough to burn for an hour, but if your fireplace is larger and you want to continue the fire for longer, you may need to add more wood in chunks over time.
As mentioned above, regular chimney cleaning and inspection are key to avoid any chimney fires. If you’re looking for professional chimney cleaning and chimney repair services in Connecticut, then look no further. At CT Chimney Repair, we offer chimney cleaning, chimney repair, and inspection services.
We also offer fireplace installation and masonry services to our customers. Contact us to find out more.
