Chimney fires - what you should know
Chimney fires are an all to often occurrence, which may pose a risk to your home.
Oscoda Fire Dept, is reminding you of the importance of the proper maintenance of chimneys and flues. The consequences of not having your chimney inspected and swept regularly may go far beyond us attending a simple chimney fire in your home. The risk of a poorly maintained flue may only start with a minor inconvenience, but it may run to serious damage to your home, or even put the lives of you and your family in jeopardy.
Reading the following will help you to minimize the risk
It is recommended that in normal use, chimneys should be swept as follows.
SOLID FUEL APPLIANCES
Once per year at least for smokeless fuel
Twice per year at least for coal
WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES
Quarterly when in use
GAS APPLIANCES
Once per year if designed for sweeping
OIL FIRED APPLIANCES
Once per year
If the fire or stove has not been used for some time ensure the flue is inspected and cleaned prior to commencing using it once more.
It is doubly important to do this if you move into a property where you do not know the history of the flues maintenance.
Remember any flue from a fire or stove, if not properly maintained, can cause a fatal build up of carbon monoxide gas in your home. A carbon monoxide detector will help secure you from this risk.
Regular inspection of your chimney flue will help prevent fire breaking out of the chimney, and reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fireguards can help protect everyone in your household from serious injury or even death, especially the young and the elderly.
Sparkguards will prevent a minor nuisance from becoming a serious property fire.
IN THE EVENT OF A CHIMNEY FIRE OCCURRING
Dial 911 and ask for the Fire Department and wait outside to meet the Fire Trucks.
If you have a conventional open fire, carefully extinguish the fire by gently splashing water from a bowl onto the fire in the grate.
If you have a solid fuel appliance, close down the ventilation as much as possible
Move furniture and rugs away from the fireplace and remove any nearby ornaments.
Place a sparkguard in front of the fire.
Feel the chimney breast in other rooms through which the flue passes. If a wall is becoming hot remove furniture away.
If your flue or chimney passes through the loft or roof space, ensure that access is available for the Fire Service as they will want to thoroughly check this area for signs of fire spread.
THE FACTS
Although traditionally flued fires and stoves are provided in a minority of dwellings, they still pose a significant risk
Chimney fires account for 40% of all accidental; fire in the home
Chimney fires are easily preventable
Chimney fires can spread to the rest of your property
REMEMBER
ALWAYS call the Fire Service if you have a chimney fire.
ENSURE your chimney is swept regularly in accordance with the advice offered above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 989-739-5962
