All Fired Up
The urge to curl up in front of a nice roaring fire may grab you as the
cold winter air approaches and the holidays draw near. In order to keep your
home and family safe this season, Sequachee Valley Electric and the Chimney
Safety Institute of America (CSIA) offers tips to keep wood burning fireplaces
and wood stoves clean and clear from the top of the chimney to bottom of the
firebox:
- Have chimneys, gas logs and wood stoves inspected
annually by a professional. Cleaning the chimney reduces the risk of fires
and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstruction. To
locate a certified sweep, visit the CSIA web site at www.csia.org or call
1-800-536-0118.
- Keep the top of chimneys clear of tree limbs or
debris.
- Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out
of the chimney.
- Burn well-seasoned wood that has been dried for a
minimum of six months to a year and stored properly.
- Keep the hearth area uncluttered and use a screen in
front of the fireplace to catch flyaway sparks.
- Don’t create a blazing bonfire. An intense heat fire
can ignite creosote in your chimney. Too much firewood or burning garbage
(like glossy paper products) can cause these intense fires.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Supervise children and pets closely around wood stoves
and fireplaces.
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