How Your Chimney Can Be A Fire Hazard For Your Home

It is always nice to have a warm, cozy fire in the fireplace during the holidays and the following cold winter months. However, proper maintenance for home fire safety is required to keep you and your family safe and sound as you keep yourselves warm and snuggled in during the bitter winter. Proper maintenance of fire chimneys can easily be forgotten in people’s excitement to light the bright fire in their home. Before doing so, make sure your chimney is properly cleaned so it can work safely and efficiently for you and your family.

The reason chimneys need to be cleaned is due to an accumulation of creosote. If this build-up becomes ignited by sparks or flames from a fire in the fireplace, it can quickly cause a damaging and dangerous chimney fire. Performing proper cleaning and maintenance is absolutely necessary to keep your family and home safe.

If a chimney fire does occur, call your local fire department immediately. Also, have a multi-purpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby, so you can put out the flames as soon as possible. Due to the extreme heat of chimney fires, do not attempt to put out the flames with water. This causes quick cooling which can make the tile or metal liner of the chimney crack or become warped. After a chimney fire, always make sure you have a professional assess the damage, and fix the affected area(s) as soon as possible.

How often you clean your chimney varies on how often you use your chimney or stove, and what kind of wood you use. If you use your chimney often, you may need to clean it about once a month. If you use your chimney rarely, you still need to clean it at least once a year. It is always easiest to hire a professional to clean your chimney; however, if you choose to clean it yourself, be sure to get sound directions and follow them closely. A few examples of things you may need when cleaning a chimney could include items such as drop cloths, a heavy-duty flashlight, a bucket, duct tape, a mirror, a dust mask, a pair of goggles, proper clothing (clothes you don’t mind getting dirty), gloves and handy fire safety equipment.

Most often people use the old-fashioned wire brush to clean chimneys. Though it can be expensive, it is a good investment for those who burn fires in their stoves of fireplaces often. The wire brush scrapes residue from the inside of chimney effectively and efficiently. If you decide to purchase your own chimney wire brush, be sure it is the correct size to fit your chimney or flue, as they come in different sizes.

Though many people simply use their fireplace as a decoration, others like to use their fireplace in the winter to provide atmosphere and warmth. If you use your fireplace, be sure to either have it cleaned professionally or clean it yourself regularly in order to prevent creosote build-up. This build-up can result in a chimney fire, which can then rapidly spread to the attic or roof of your home. The installation of smoke detectors throughout your home can help reduce the risk of a fire getting out of control. The safety of your family and home is a top priority, and properly maintaining your fireplace is vital in keeping everyone safe.