FAQ
Please browse our frequently asked questions and safety information, and feel free to call us if your question is not answered here. We are always here to help!
How can I avoid a chimney fire?
Chimney fires don't have to happen. Here are some ways to avoid them:
- Have your chimney inspected annually by a qualified professional and cleaned when necessary.
- Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations).
- Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke.
- Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash, or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimney fire.
- Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as needed.
- Inspect and clean catalytic combustors on a regular basis, where applicable.
What should I do in case of a chimney fire?
If you realize a chimney fire is occurring, follow these steps:
- Get everyone out of the house, including yourself.
- Call the fire department.
If you can do so without risk to yourself, these additional steps may help save your home. Remember, however, that homes are replaceable, lives are not:
- Use a chimney fire extinguisher on the burning fireplace or wood stove.
- Close the glass doors on the fireplace.
- Close the inlets on the wood stove.
- Use a garden hose to spray down the roof (not the chimney) so the fire won't spread to the rest of the structure.
For more chimney safety tips, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
Do I need to worry about my dryer vent?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America cautions the public that there's a growing fire and carbon monoxide poisoning danger that could result in unnecessary deaths, injuries, or property damage - the obstruction or improper venting of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.
To combat dryer fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, the CSIA recommends that homeowners have clothes dryer exhaust ducts professionally inspected annually - and maintained as necessary.
For more information, visit The Chimney Safety Institute of America.
