Preventing a Chimney Fire

Chimney fires are more common than you may think. A quick internet search will result in many news stories of house fires that started in the chimney. Chimney fires can burn explosively with flames shooting out the top of the chimney and spreading to nearby homes, or they can be slow-burning and hardly noticeable until they've gotten hot enough to cause severe damage. The good news is that almost all house fires originating in the chimney are preventable. By following these steps, you can help keep your chimney and your home safe:

Chimney Maintenance

•Have your chimney checked every year by a chimney sweep. You will be able to find chimney repair problems and solve them before they become more serious safety hazards
•Have a chimney cleaning as often as needed to keep your chimney free of sooty build-up
•Make sure you are burning only well-seasoned hardwoods (split and dried for six months to one year)
•Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks or embers from flying into the room
•Ask your chimney sweep to ensure that your chimney is properly lined
•After a violent storm, earthquake, or flood, have your chimney thoroughly checked for damage on both the inside and outside

Prevention

•Keep the area in front of the fireplace clear of rugs, wood or anything combustible. If keeping the area clear is not an option, find a flame retardant rug
•Get a chimney cap. While this does not replace the need to have your chimney cleaned, it will prevent debris and animals from getting inside
•Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home

Be Prepared

•Knowing what to do in case of a fire is important! Evacuate your home and call 911 immediately!

Get More Information

If you live in Washington State and are interested in learning more about chimney safety or getting your chimney inspected, contact Powers Chimney and Masonry!

206.718.8532 - Eastside
206.909.0166 - Seattle
360.691.9828 - Northend