Mark National Chimney Safety Week by Using These Chimney Safety Tips

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 22,300 chimney fires occurred annually in the United States between 2011 and 2013. That’s a pretty staggering and devastating figure! And although this represents a decrease from previous years, we at Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration believe there’s a lot of room for improvement.

2016’s National Chimney Safety Week, which is designed to educate homeowners on the inherent dangers of fireplaces and provide them with tips to reduce their risk of suffering a chimney fire or carbon monoxide-related health emergency, occurs September 25 – October 1.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends your fireplace and chimney are inspected and maintained annually. Since it’s National Chimney Safety Week, we thought now would be a great time to remind homeowners of our top fireplace and chimney safety tips.

• Clear your hearth of any debris, clutter or decorations before starting a fire.
• Use only dry, seasoned wood in your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Don’t burn trash or large pieces of cardboard in your fireplace.
• Ensure there are no holes or cracks where sparks or embers can escape around your chimney or roofline.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector near your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Also install a working smoke detector on every level of your home.
• Always use a fireguard in front of your fireplace to protect against sparks and hot embers popping into the room.
• Never go to bed before making sure all hot embers are properly extinguished. Simply pour water over your fire to completely put it out.
• Do not scoop out hot ashes from your fireplace.
• If your fireplace doesn’t have an ash pit connected to the hearth, keep ashes in a metal container at least 10 feet from the home.
• Always ensure your fireplace or stove receives sufficient air to allow proper burning.

Before lighting this year’s first fire, make sure to contact a certified chimney sweep to inspect the structural aspects of your fireplace and chimney. Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration in Yorkville is the longest continuously certified sweep in the nation and we’ve been servicing chimney’s in your neighborhood since 1978. Contact us today to book your next chimney inspection and cleaning!