Chimney Fire Safety

Keep the Fire You Want from Starting One You Don’t

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 to Do if You Have 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:

• Put a chimney fire extinguisher into the 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.