Chimney Fire Safety

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A Fire Safety Message from Chimney maintenance for wood burning appliances. Chimneys are one of the most common locations of residential structure fires in New York State. The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports that creosote accumulation is the leading cause of chimney fires. A chimney that is dirty, blocked or is in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue and can also cause a chimney fire. Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable. An annual chimney inspection by a qualified chimney sweep can prevent fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. To keep your home safe from chimney fires follow these guidelines. 1. Maintenance Good maintenance is a very important step in preventing chimney fires! • Have your chimney checked every year by a qualified chimney professional. • Burn only well seasoned hardwoods. • Install a chimney cap. • Install a carbon monoxide detector. • Have your chimney sweep ensure that your chimney has an appropriate liner. • Following a violent storm, earthquake, flood or lightening strike, have your chimney inspected for damage - inside and out.. 2. Prevention Remember prevention is your best defense against fire. If you have a wood or coal stove, be sure it is installed at least 36 inches away from the wall. Keep combustible materials well away from the stove and chimney connector. Place an approved stove board under the unit to protect the floor from heat and hot coals which might drop out. 3. Be Prepared Know what to do in case of fire. If you suspect a chimney fire, evacuate your home and call 9-1-1 ‘Prevention Through Education’ www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc.

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Chimney Fire Wood Stove Safety
FIRE SAFETY FOR A ONE FINAL DON’T LET YOUR CLEAN BURNING FIRE THOUGHT…... DREAMS GO UP IN Chimneys SMOKE! should be inspected Ask your fire department or stove and cleaned and fireplace accessory store annually by a certified chimney about special chimney fire specialist. extinguishers; keep one handy Gasoline or for every fireplace or stove. other flammable liquids should never A standard ABC extinguisher be used to start a wood fire. It could explode or flare up. should also be on hand. But keep Pressure treated in mind that if you have any wood should not be burned in stoves or doubt on whether or not to fight a fireplaces because it fire - contains toxic chemicals that can DON’T!! make you sick. Get out and call the fire CHIMNEY, Artificial logs made department. FIREPLACE AND of wax and sawdust should never be used in wood stoves and should only be used WOOD STOVE FIRE one at a time. REMEMBER: Learn about seasoned woods and which SAFETY TIPS type of woods are best to burn. Only Big Fires Start Small! hardwoods should be used as fuel since MIAMI VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT softwoods have a high content of creosote That cozy fire in your fireplace 2710 Lyons Rd and resin. Miamisburg, OH 45342 Remember, can spell disaster if proper Fire Headquarters/non-emergency hardwood trees have leaves and precautions are not taken. 937-560-2152 softwood trees have needles. www.miamivalleyfiredistrict.org DON’T LET YOUR DREAMS e-mail: GO UP IN SMOKE! [email protected] Prepared by: Ransae Lindamood-Hall, Admin.
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THE PERFORMER HIGH-EFFICIENCY WOODSTOVE EPA Certified (3.89 Grams/Hr.) Model TR009 Owners Manual (Save These Instructions)
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