The maintenance of your chimney will make a big difference in the safety and operation of your fireplace. Chimney fires are common and highly dangerous. Chimney fires are mainly caused by tar build-up.
- Maintain a safe perimeter and keep all tree limbs and other objects at least 10 feet from the top of your chimney
- Instruct your family on the fireplace, furnace, and stove safety practices
- Retrofit a chimney cap on your existing chimney if you don’t have one
- Chimney caps should be metal with 1/2 to 3/8 openings
- Chimney caps keep leaves and animals out of your chimney and can prevent dangerous obstructions
- Use your fireplace or other warming devices per the manufacturer’s instructions
- Use appropriate fuel and If you have doubts about a particular fuel, err on the side of caution
- Greenwood dismantled furniture, and other questionable materials are not safe fuel choices
- Never put wood in a non-wood burning stove
- Build fires correctly by adding kindling or fire-logs in the back of the grate and support them, so they do not slip
- Make sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room
- Clear the hearth or areas surrounding your heating device
- Never keep old rags, newspaper, furniture or other objects near your stove, furnace or fireplace
- Do not leave fires unattended.
