Following are some fireplace safety tips to help keep us safe as we move into the winter fireplace season:
- Ashes may contain hot embers for several days. If cleaning is required always use a metal ash bucket with a tight sealing lid available at most hardware or home improvement stores.
- Always insure fire place damper is fully open before lighting.
- You must wait for at least 24 hrs. to close the fireplace flue damper. The smoldering embers may produce carbon monoxide (CO).
- Never use combustible liquids to help start a fire.
- Only burn dry, seasoned hardwoods. Never burn trash or wrapping papers. This may overwhelm the flue causing the fire to spill out of the fireplace.
- Always use fireplace screens to stop flying embers.
- A good spark arrestor cap at the top of the chimney is always a good idea; especially where a wood shingle roof is present. This will also prevent critters from building nests as well.
- Depending on amount and type of use, chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by certified chimney cleaners at least every few years – more often if used extensively or if woodstoves are used. Older chimneys may require video inspection to check for cracked flue liners and loose mortar.
- If a fireplace has been idle for long periods of time, an inspection may be in order. Some animals will build nests in chimneys which can cause a blockage or catch fire.
- 10.Ensure that smoke and CO detectors are present and properly operating.
For questions regarding fireplace safety please contact the New Canaan Fire Marshal’s Office at 203-594-3030.