It’s not surprising that residential fires caused by fireplaces and wood stoves increase during the months of December, January and February. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, residential heating fires account for 27 percent of fires during winter months and are most prevalent in late afternoon and peak between 6 and 8 p.m.Since 2005, the Falcon fire department has responded to 14 residential fires in the district that were attributed to fireplaces and wood stoves. Many homes in the district rely on fireplaces and wood stoves as the primary heat source, which leads to prolonged use during the winter months and increases the risk of fire.”The most common source of chimney fires can be attributed to creosote buildup,” said Battalion Chief Jeff Petersma. “We’ve also seen chimney fires caused by improperly installed or maintained chimneys. I’d say that nearly of all those fires could have been prevented by proper installation and regular maintenance,” Petersma said. While those fires didn’t result in injury or death, Petersma said one fire did cause about $75,000 in damage to the house.The Falcon fire department and the Chimney Safety Institute of America offer the following tips to help reduce the chances of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.Fireplace and wood stove safety tips:Inspect chimneys annually. Have chimneys inspected each year and cleaned as necessary. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions in the chimney.Keep it clear. Keep tree branches and leaves at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney.Install a chimney cap. This keeps debris and animals out of the chimney.Choose the right fuel. For fireplaces and wood stoves, choose well seasoned wood that has been split for a minimum of six months to one year. Keep it covered and elevated to keep it dry. Never burn Christmas trees or treated wood in your fireplace or wood stove.Build it right. Place firewood or fire logs at the rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. To start the fire, use kindling or a commercial fire lighter. Never use flammable liquids.Keep the hearth area clear. Combustible material too close to the fireplace or wood stove could easily catch fire. Keep furniture at least 36 inches away from the hearth.Use a fireplace screen. Use metal mesh or a screen in front of the fireplace to catch flying sparks that could ignite or burn holes in the carpet or flooring.Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Place detectors throughout the house and change detector batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.Before going to bed, ensure that the fire is left in a safe condition and know that extinguishing the fire completely provides for the highest level of safety. Be sure to keep children and pets away from burning fireplaces and woodstoves.The USFA recommends keeping air inlets on wood stoves open and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. This will help prevent creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire. The USFA suggests using fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.There are also several steps you can take to prevent fires outside your home during the winter months. The Falcon fire department and the USFA recommend:
- Stacking firewood at least 30 feet away from your home
- Keeping the roof of your home clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris
- Covering the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester
