Fireplaces and Fire Safety

Safe and Healthy Fireplaces
Fire Safety

Safe and Healthy Fireplaces

Fireplaces and wood stoves are cozy and warm for the winter. But in order to keep the air healthy and reduce the risk of fire, you need to be aware of the risks they pose. Here are some tips on staying safe and healthy this winter.

Bad Wood

Burning wood improperly can produce dangerous emissions such as carbon monoxide, organic gas and heavy smoke. To avoid this danger:

• Burn only seasoned hardwoods such as oak, maple and hickory.
• Avoid burning softwoods, and never burn newly cut or wet wood.
• Wood should be aged for at least a year to allow the dissipation of creosote oil.
• Don't burn wood that has been painted, treated or made with glue (such as particle boards).
• Never burn papers that contain bleaches or dyes. The particles produced by these can clog the air passages in a fireplace or wood stove and also produce noxious, corrosive or even carcinogenic gasses.

Chimneys

• In the fall, it's necessary to watch for a weak chimney draft. The difference in temperature between chimney smoke and outdoor air is not so great in the fall, so smoke won't rise as quickly as it should. This could cause too much smoke to be in the room.
• Back-puffing is also a danger. An obstructed chimney or flue causes smoke to build up in the house. Blockage can be caused by soot and creosote buildup or by bird's nests.
• Have your chimney inspected and/or cleaned at least once a year. This is a job best done by a professional.
• For more information on chimneys, click here.

On the Hearth

• Use proper fireplace equipment.
• Keep a grate under the firebox that allows the fire to "breathe" and ensures proper combustion of the firewood.
• When building a fire, place the wood at the back of the fireplace.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Don't put rugs in front of the fireplace unless they are non-combustible hearth rugs made especially for the purpose.
• Have protective doors or a fire screen in front of the fire.
• Keep all combustibles at least 36 inches away from the fire, but the further away, the better.
• Make sure that your fireplace has proper clearances when it is installed. If not, the heat of usage over the years can cause a dangerously low "ignition" temperature to surrounding wood, in a hidden space behind your wall or in the flue chase. You won't know it's happened until a fire breaks out.
• Check for bird's nests not only in the flue or chimney, but on the roof or in trees above the chimney opening. The first fire of the season could send a hot ember to a nearby nest that falls on your roof or in your attic.

Fire Safety Tips for Kids

• Teach your children that matches and lighters are for adults only.
• Keep matches and lighters in a locked cabinet or drawer. Children as young as 18-months-old have started fires by playing with these objects.
• Make sure the kids understand that they are never to play with the fire and should always have an adult around when they are near the fire.

Family Fire Drills for Safety's Sake

Your family needs to be prepared in case of a fire. Children especially need to fully understand what to do in case of a fire and should practice these rules often. Otherwise, they will naturally run and hide from a fire instead of getting out of the house safely. Get a family fire escape plan ready and have fire drills at least once a month. You can even print out the drill and tape it to the refrigerator so the whole family is reminded often of the plan.

• Make sure that everyone knows to ways out of every room.
• Teach children to crawl on their hands and knees to get low under smoke.
• Teach children how to close doors behind them to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
• Plan alternate escape routes.
• Teach children to lay low and shout their names out if they are trapped in a smoke-filled room.
• Plan a meeting spot outside the house, at a neighbor's or in a special place in the yard a good distance from the house.
• Teach kids that once they get outside, they should stay outside.
• Make a sketch of the layout of each floor of your house, including windows, doors and stairways. Mark escape routes from each room on the sketch.
• Hold frequent fire drills, including some at night and make sure everyone is following the plan perfectly.
• Assign a member of the family to be responsible for the younger and older members of the family. Get a "buddy" system going so everyone is taken care of.
• Assign a responsible adult to look after house pets in case of fire.
• Assign someone to call 911.
• And if there is a fire, remember, COUNT HEADS, STAY TOGETHER and DON'T GO BACK into the house for personal belongings.

Special Reminders for Smokers

Never smoke in bed or when drowsy. Use large, deep ashtrays. Put water on butts before throwing them away. Before going to bed, check under and around sofa cushions for smoldering cigarettes.