According to the Residential Fire Loss Estimates released by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), an average of 22,300 residences caught chimney fire for the years 2012-2014, resulting to $116.4 million worth of property loss. As the winter soon approaches, get your home up and ready, especially your chimney for the first light of the year. Giving some thought about it and including it on top of your list can keep your family and property out of any tragedy.
What is a Chimney Fire?
As the chimney does its job of expelling the by-products of burning fuel while providing heat in your home, these substances accumulate gradually into a residue that clings to the inner walls of the chimney. Known as creosote, that black or brown residue that could be flaky or crusty, tar-looking and sticky liquid, or shiny and hardened to the surface is highly flammable. Once it builds up to a certain level and gets hot enough to catch ablaze, the result can be a catastrophic chimney fire. With accumulated residue in the chimney that restricts the flow of gases that has to escape in the open-air, it’s just a matter of time before a chimney fire breaks.
Causes of Chimney Fire and Tips for Prevention
Irregular Chimney Cleaning
One of the most common causes of a chimney fire is infrequent cleaning or sweeping of the flue. The National Fire Protection Association Standard highly recommends an annual checkup for the chimneys, fireplaces, and vents for any serious damage, efficiency control, and standard compliance. Once the creosote buildup reaches 1/8-inch deep or anytime a glaze appears in your flue, it’s time to schedule a professional chimney sweep to keep any risk of a chimney fire. You don’t have to wait until the soot and creosote accumulate that much, a regular cleaning with a chimney brush, an extension pipe, and chemical creosote removers can do the trick.
Tip: A regular chimney cleaning at least three times in the burning season and at least once per season no matter the fuel type is an effective way of chimney fire prevention.
Burning Unseasoned Wood
If you burn unseasoned wood in your fireplace, you’ll do more harm than good. Aside from the fact that wet wood is more difficult to get lit and inefficient to burn, burning it can increase creosote buildup from the resulting smoke during condensation.
Tip: Only use fully dry or seasoned wood to burn.
Burning Cardboard Boxes, Wrapping Paper or Christmas Tree
The next time you would want to burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper or the Christmas tree in your fireplace, better think twice. Doing so will produce harmful emissions that can be dangerous to your health as well as increase accumulated creosote in the chimney.
Tip: Avoid burning them to prevent running the risk of a chimney fire.
Unprotected Chimney
Debris in the chimney, such as bird’s nest, twigs, and dry leaves can also cause a chimney fire once they get caught by a mere ember or stray spark. Avoid such incidents from happening and keep the animals at bay and the moisture out by installing a chimney cap.
Final Thoughts:
In case your chimney catches fire, immediately dial 911 for help. A dose of prevention can save you and your loved ones from harm. Scheduling a yearly chimney sweep is your ticket to cozy and safe wintertime in the comforts of your home.