Check Your Chimneys for Earthquake Damage

The following is from OWL VFD:

"The holiday season is a time when there is an increased risk of home fires.  In trying to create a warm hearth, many in our community will use their fire places and woodstoves without having them inspected first.  OWL VFD is reminding residents that due to this year’s earthquake, your chimney may not be secure. 

'Even under normal circumstances, homeowners should have their chimneys cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional, in order to prevent a chimney fires during use,' said OWL VFD Chief Jim McAllister. 'But this year, it is even more important to have your fire place checked because of the recent earthquake.'

Since earthquakes are not a normal occurrence in our area, homeowners may not know that they could have cracks in their chimney’s interior that would allow heat and hazardous gasses into the home. OWL VFD recommends residents to have their chimneys inspected by a certified, licensed chimney sweep.  In addition, here are some tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to keep the home fires safely burning.

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.
• Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

• Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
• Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
• Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
• Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

By following these fire prevention tips and measures, O.W.L. V.F.D. says you can greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home, and enjoy a safe holiday season.

'The holidays can quickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs,' says Chief McAllister. 'By taking simple precautions, people can avoid potential fire hazards, and make this time of year a healthy and happy one.'"