Spring-clean wood stoves and chimneys to avoid fires
By Elizabeth Wood-West
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to more than 60,000 home structure fires that involve home heating equipment each year. Annually, these fires cause an average of more than 550 deaths, 1,600 civilian fire injuries, and approximately $900 million in direct property damage.
What exactly is home heating equipment? These include wood stoves, fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and portable or stationary space heaters (including kerosene, electric, or gas). Fifty percent of home heating fire deaths were the result of heating equipment in close proximity to flammable objects such as furniture, clothing, mattresses and bedding, draperies, etc.
Fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connectors are responsible for the largest percentage of home heating fires due to creosote build-up within the equipment and structures. Creosote is an oily and sticky combustible residue caused by the incomplete burning of wood. South Metro Fire Rescue spokesperson Becky O’Guin said their firefighters answered at least three chimney-fire calls during the last year, in addition to fireplace-fire calls. The NFPA recommends the following safety precautions for wood stoves and fireplaces: Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from home heating equipment. Install wood stoves, chimneys, and chimney connectors according to manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
Look for a professional testing laboratory label when purchasing wood stoves. Start fires with newspaper and kindling; never use a flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene, or gasoline. Burn only dry, seasoned wood (or dry, seasoned wood pellets for pellet stoves). Do not burn green wood, trash, or other combustible materials.
Use a metal container with a tight-fitting lid to dispose of ashes; allow ashes to cool completely before disposing; saturate ashes with water and replace lid. Store the container at least 10 feet away from a house and/or other buildings.
Have chimneys, vents, and wood stoves cleaned and inspected annually by a certified professional. The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit educational organization that provides chimney and venting safety resources to homeowners and industry professionals.
You can visit the website at www.csia.org to locate a certified professional. Visit NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org for further information.
