Five Wood-Burning Fireplace Safety Tips for Carrollton, TX, Homeowners

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton offers tips on wood-burning fireplace safety.

SERVPRO of Carrollton, TX, specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial properties after fire damage, smoke damage, or water damage. By utilizing the most advanced technology and equipment available, SERVPRO technicians provide restoration services that bring customers peace of mind.

Cold Snap Breaks the Electrical Power Grid

About every ten years, a cold snap sweeps over Texas and causes significant property damage and physical hardship. Such was the case this past February. According to one news source, "Beginning around 11:00 p.m. Sunday night, February 14, 2021, multiple generating units began tripping off-line in rapid progression due to the severe cold weather."

Millions of Texans in the Dallas/Fort Worth area were left without power for many days and were forced to rely on backup systems for heating, including wood-burning stoves.

Wood Burning Stove Safety Tips

These vitally important wood-burning stove safety tips can save homes from fire damage and prevent loss of life. The goal is to achieve optimal safety, economy, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Tip #1: Stockpile the well-seasoned wood.

Using the right wood can save time and money. Use softwoods to get the fire going and generate quick heat that will ignite the hardwoods. Kindling, usually a soft heart pine or dry sticks, works well to get the more efficient, longer-burning, and cleaner-burning hardwoods burning. These hardwoods yield a consistent warmth that lasts for many hours.

Tip #2: Inspect the stove annually.

During longer cold streaks when the stove is in use for days or weeks without interruption, keep a vigilant eye on the entire system. Check door seals, gaskets, pipes, and the chimney at the beginning of the cold season. Give the system an inspection at the end of the season in case a late-season cold snap hits or Texas is visited with an early-season rush of winter cold prior to the annual inspection. Always keep flammable materials such as books, magazines, furniture, and decor at least three or more feet away from the wood-burning stove or fireplace.

Tip #3: Clean the chimney before a problem arises.

Schedule the services of a professional chimney sweep to eliminate creosote buildup before the situation reaches a critical point. Also, have the chimney professional clear out any obstructions that might inhibit airflow or ignite in the chimney. Birds, bats, and squirrels often use chimneys to provide shelter for nests. By installing a cap at the top of the chimney, debris can be prevented from blocking the chimney.

Tip #4: Install both a smoke and carbon monoxide detector and keep a fire extinguisher handy.

Fires from sparks, puff back, and carbon monoxide are hazards associated with wood burning stoves and fireplaces. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be deployed near wood-burning units, in hallways, at the top of stairs, and at other key locations to ensure that a proper warning is deployed when dangerous situations arise. Annually inspect each unit to ensure the batteries work. The first day of fall, September 21, is an optimal time for this inspection. The cooler temperatures provide a subtle hint that it is time to inspect the detectors, the chimney, the wood-burning stove, the stockpile of wood, and the emergency escape plan in case of fire.

A fire extinguisher can be discreetly stored at the ready in case the stove or fireplace causes a fire. As with the smoke detection units, inspect fire extinguishers annually to ensure they are charged and ready for use.

Tip #5: Practice common sense fire safety.

By observing some simple, common-sense fire building safety practices, homeowners can stay warm and cozy, even when the power goes out for several days.

• Remove debris and ashes from previous fires.
• Remember to open the damper before starting a new fire.
• Stockpile plenty of kindling. Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal lighter fluid to start a fire in a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Do not burn treated lumber or painted wood.
• Never burn garbage in a wood stove or fireplace. The results could be explosive. Toxic fumes and residue from plastics create health hazards and can damage the stove.
• Use appropriate fireplace tools to manage the fire.
• Avoid using logs that are too large for the woodstove. Do not overfill the stove with kindling or logs.
• Always observe the manufacturer’s guidelines for the product.
• Keep children and pets a safe distance away from the stove.
• Put ashes in a metal container. The lid should fit snugly to keep out air. Store the container a safe distance from the house.

By following these safety tips, homeowners can use their wood-burning stoves safely and stay warm and cozy during the cold winter months.

The caring team of highly trained SERVPRO professionals offers twenty-four-hour emergency service. Locally owned and operated and utilizing advanced restoration and cleaning equipment, SERVPRO of Carrollton is a trusted leader in the damage restoration industry.

To learn more about fire damage restoration in Carrollton, TX, call SERVPRO of Carrollton at (972) 446-0383 or email office@SERVPRO10952.com.