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In the News - October 2009
Fireplace safety a hot topic as temperatures drop
MOUNTAIN HOME - As cold weather approaches, there's nothing like a roaring
fire in the fireplace. But danger can lurk in fireplaces and chimneys, said Mark
Keaton, Baxter County extension staff chair with the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture.
"Every year, Arkansas homes are destroyed by fires that start in fireplaces
and chimneys and wood-burning stoves and furnaces," said Keaton.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 20,600
fires and 40 deaths per year are associated with fireplaces and chimneys.
Arkansas ranks among the leading states in fire deaths.
Burning wood in homes is popular for aesthetic and economic reasons. It is
estimated that nearly 250,000 homes, about one in four Arkansas homes, burns
wood.
When the first big cold front comes through, people stoke up a fire in their
fireplaces, and invariably there will be several chimney fires, according to the
state fire marshal's office. "A roaring fire can ignite tar and creosote that
have built up in the chimney," said Keaton. This buildup can serve as fuel for a
possible fire.
Most of the time, burning firewood is a safe experience, he said.
Safety begins with an annual inspection and, if necessary, a thorough
cleaning of the chimney. The state fire marshal's office recommends hiring a
reputable chimney sweep to inspect and clean. Some insurance companies will
provide homeowners a financial incentive to get an inspection.
Homeowners can also take a look in the flue themselves, said Keaton.
First, take the cap off the top of the chimney. Either shine a flashlight
down the chimney or drop a light bulb on the end of an electric cord down the
chimney to inspect the tile for cracks and for tar and creosote buildup. If
there is a pipe from a fireplace insert in the chimney, check it for rust and
creosote buildup.
If there is a problem with buildup, clean the tile or pipe with a brush
designed for that purpose, then re-inspect to make sure no additional damage was
caused. Also check the firebox for cracks and buildup.
Smoke detectors are a cheap prevention from a devastating fire, said Keaton.
"Make sure smoke detectors are in working order and that flammable objects
are moved at least three feet from a fireplace or wood-burning stove," he said.
Here are some additional tips:
- Use kindling wood for fireplaces lacking a gas starter. "Newspaper shouldn't be used because the flaming paper can rise and
ignite a chimney if it has creosote buildup," said Keaton. Don't use
wood treated with a preservative for kindling or firewood. Inhaling
the smoke from this wood can be dangerous.
- Start and finish the fire with hot, dry wood to help eliminate
residue buildup in the chimney. "Don't put a large green log on the
fire and let it smolder through the night," said Keaton. It doesn't
burn as hot as dry wood, and it causes buildup.
- Burn only seasoned firewood. Wood should be cut and stacked for
use the following year. This makes the wood burn hotter and cause
less residue buildup in the chimney, said Keaton.
- Artificial logs, made from compressed sawdust or wood chips
mixed with wax or paraffin, burn evenly and have the advantage of
not being as messy as firewood, said Keaton. However, they are
expensive. They make excellent fire starters, or may be used instead
of firewood.
For more information on fire safety, visit
www.arhomeandgarden.org/your_home/Fire_Safety/heating.htm.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
October 30, 2009
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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