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Fireplaces - Hidden Dangers...

Fireplaces - Hidden Dangers...

With old man winter just beginning to clear his throat with the first cool snaps of the winter season, many Americans begin firing up their fireplaces. But before you start enjoying the ambiance of the warm embers glow with the blanket, a bottle of bubbly and your sweetie, is your fireplace really safe from the hidden dangers that most folks do not even know about?

Statistically, over 1/3rd of Americans use solid fuel (wood) as their primary source of heat. Most of these are in rural areas. Statistics also show that 36% of residential home fires start in the fireplace or wood burning stove.

When was the last time you:

Had your chimney or flue evaluated by a licensed chimney sweep? Most residential fires are caused by creosote build-up and flue fires.
Checked the air inlets? Some modern fireplaces draw air from the exterior. Insects find these protected areas a cool spot to build their nests. Blocked inlets can cause poor combustion and CO to build up.
When was the last time you checked to see if tree branches were hanging over the flue?
When was the last time you checked the batteries in your smoke detector? Statistics show that most deaths could have been prevented. Missing/dead batteries was the number one cause.

Be safe.

Do not use incendiaries to start a fire. Flammable liquids are unsafe.
Use only seasoned hardwoods. Soft, green wood causes creosote to build up in flues and liners.
Keep firewood away from your home. We do not want to bring in WDO's do we?
Build smaller fires. These burn better and produce less smoke.

By practicing a few "rules of the road" you and your sweetie can cuddle and enjoy the bubbly☺☺☺

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Posted by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297 on 10/17/2009 06:05 AM

Comments (60)

Fire Safety, Tips in the Regional (Localism) Channel

maintenance tips, nashville real estate

Originally posted at: Michael's View: Fireplaces - Hidden Dangers...

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60 Comments on Fireplaces - Hidden Dangers...

OCT

2009

Michael...Your timing is excellent here in the north east, with leaves still on the trees we are looking at broken branches and power-outages. This will mean people starting fireplaces earlier than usual. I had my Chimney cleaned at the end of last years "wood-stove season", when these companies aren't too busy and offer seasonal discounts.

Michael, when we built our home we had gas fireplaces instead of wood burning. I do miss the smell you get from a wood burning fireplace...but not the mess.

Rebecca, I agree with your choice.......a zero clearance gas fireplace with a heatilator has as much ambience and generates heat without having to worry about safety or mess....there's no odor or smoke....builders install them throughout the house with power vents(no chase)....they look great and save the buyer thousands of dollars.

Consider yourself re-blogged...Wisconsin has lots of fireplaces....and few homeowners know the best way to take care of them !

Hi, Michael. Good post! I lived in Maine for 15 years and Vermont for 10 and used a woodstove most of that time....one chimney fire and you'll become a true believer in an annual cleaning and inspection!

I agree with Rebecca and Barbara...the technology has changed so much that you can enjoy all of the benefits of wood burning now without actually burning wood!

Fireplaces are very nice to have in your house during the Fall and Winter seasons. However, they must be maintained as you have suggested. Great post

Thanks for the reminder. BTW, I almost always make a good hot fire so I don't get a creosote buildup. I put a mirror under my chimney flute to see what it looks like.

Hi Michael! Timely and excellent information! The fireplace is probably one of the most overlooked 'maintenance' items around the home and probably one of the most dangerous as a result of our lack of maintenance too.

I like Kenneth's idea of using a mirror to check our the flue & don't forget the CO detectors that are now mandatory in our state.

Enjoy your weekend...

Excellent advise! Must say most of our fireplaces here never get use. We had one in a former house and had to open the doors and windows to use as it was too darn hot! I do love the decorative accents and vocal point for the room though! LOL Have a great weekend! You probably just saved a life with this post.

Dixie

Michael..thanks for the information. Seems like we don't think about fireplace maintenance until there is a problem!!

Good info as always Michael, but we haven't figured out what "WDO" is.

WOnderful tips....so many times people over look the safety issues in a fireplace b/c they are hidden. Great points!

Michael, this is timely even for Florida where we are having our first 'cold snap' it's in the 60s today and low in the 50s to 40s, so folks will be thinking about their fireplaces.

Michael - such good adivce, which, I suspect, many do not heed. We always had our fireplace cleaned and checked regulary, and used it daily in the winter time. I know a number of folks who had fires in their chimneys becuase of the creosote.

Jeff

Michael---good reminder about the dangers of these fireplaces, stoves and chimneys.

Michael it is getting to be that time of the year. I suggest to have your chimney sweep come out to clean and check before you light that first fire in your fireplace. Better safe then sorry.

Great tips for home-owners with fireplaces, and don't forget to open the flue when you light up for the first time.

Michael: Not only do fireplaces need to be cleaned ... the chimney should also be inspected for structural integrity. Not a lot of people use their fireplaces where I live in Northern California ... in fact, there are days we are prohibited from using them (well, it is California). So many people don't want to spend the money ... what it may cost them if they don't. Thanks for your post!

Good reminder. In Oklahoma just about every house I go into has gas logs now, either installed without the traditional flue/chimeny set up, or people hooking their gas starters up to the gas logs. Would you please do a post about gas logs, their maintenance, and any postential dangers they may have?

Michael, Thank you for the informative post and warning people about safety issues with fireplaces.

Thanks Michael - I was not aware that soft, greener woods would create more creosote. That's a good heads up.

As we go about our busy lives, sometimes we forget about safety.

Thanks for reminding us.

Great Tips Micheal. Most so common sense. I never thought of checking the air intakes.

Bernice Dubon in Calgary Alberta, Royal LePage Solutions

www.yourhomeincalgary.com

Michael.. These are excellent tips.. I will pass these along to my clients that have fireplaces.. This is another great way of staying in touch without being a pain.. You are looking out for their well-being.

On a side note.. yesterday was the first time I went to your blog site... your blog of yesterday worked. :)

valerie osterhoudt

Good tips Michael. Another thing to remember is not to burn any part of a Christmas tree in your fireplace. Every year there are tragic consequences when people think it's OK.

Michael, Great advice! I just had my fireplace, inspected, cleaned, new liner and new insert installed! I am scheduled already for a cleaning in June. Safety is so important!

Everyone should be preparing their fireplaces for winter and making sure they have a good supply of wood, so this is excellent timing.

Congratulations on the well deserved feature.

Michael...

This is excellent advice as usual. It's chilly here in Newnan, going to be COLD tonight!

Michael - Very timely post with great info for those who use wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. Few consumers understand the potential for disaster.

I learned a new acronym today: WDO's are Wood Destroying Organisms, right? That was a lot of thinking for me on a Saturday! Great post though. Of course in our area, wood burning fireplaces were outlawed from new construction back in the mid-90's. I have a gas one, but it's not very efficient and it doesn't really do it for me, even if I burn a "real wood fire" candle somewhere to try to fool my brain.

I miss my wood burning fireplace :-) Great post!

Michael Excellent - we have ours cleaned and inspected every year and recommend the same to our clients Karen

Michael very timely indeed. We just turned the fireplace on this afternoon (unfortunately just the gas flip the switch kind). But those need attention too and should be serviced periodically.

Good reminder, a lot of people burn wood in our area and it's a good idea to get your chimney cleaned and inspected before the cold weather hits. What does WDO's stand for? We don't store our wood by the house either, it's much safer in a separate wood shed.

That's a good reminder to check the smoke alarms battery as well. I know one that needs to be ch ecked!

I really had no idea 1/3 used wood as their primary source of heat. I'm suprised by the figure. Now I am among those who do. I crew up with a fireplace and now I have a wood burning stove (much more efficient than my parents as it's smaller and heats a larger home). My parents had a chimney fire when I was a kid. It was like a torch with flames leaping about 30 feet out of the top of the chimney. Dad just wet the roof and didn't wet the bricks and saved their house, but I learned the lesson you are telling here. I am about to need to use my fireplace and I've called the chimney sweep. We do it every year in the fall. I'm not a fan of doing it in the spring as you are so right about insects and critters that could get in over summer.

Yep, call the chimney sweep every year!

Hi Michael,

Yes it's that time of year....again! You need to be on top of things like a fire place, (cleaning) for sure. I too think having it done in the off season is a good idea. Then you are all set to "light your fire!!")

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh homes

I think I'll re-blog this one, it's timely "heads-up!"

Patricia/Portsmouth nh homes

Great information Michael:

I can't tell you how many chimney fires I responded to in the foohills. Now retired as a fire captain for Foothills Fire & Rescue out of the Lookout Mountain area above Golden, we had a least a few a year. They get messy for the home owner (we usually end up pulling down some of the exterior and roof area and interior to catch fire extension. With water and debris after it's all over with the poor people have a mess to clean. There were a few times we had to go back because the homeowner would end up calling indicating it started up again (didn't get the full fire extension). What you came up with should be put in postcard form and sent to homeowners. Great post.

Michael

Thanks for sharing the information on fireplaces, they need to be maintained.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

As always, your blog just reinforces the reason I'm adamant about home inspections and general maintenance by homeowners.

By the way, I just changed all the batteries in all my smoke detectors...Is it an industry regulation that the batteries fail and they start that endless chirping at 3 in the morning ?

Craig, LOL - Yes it is...

BTW - WDO stands for Wood Destroying Organisms ie termites☺☺

Thanks everyone for stopping by to comment. I was totally surprised to see that this was featured...

Never used mine since I bought it 2 years ago ill definitely use this information before lighting it this winter. Thanks.

Hi Michael -- I burn a lot of fires in the winter (1-1.5 cords usually) and I did NOT know about smaller fires building better fires with less smoke -- my wood will last longer and I can't wait to see if there is less smoke. Thanks for the timely tips.

Haven't had a wood fire since I moved here from the north east, I do miss the smell of real wood. Good cautionary post Michael. My gas fireplace is like burning dollar bills.

Great tips for everybody. Chimney fires are very dangerous, but I have never heard of one in all my years so how common are they?

Michael, at least my having a direct vent BOX fireplace without the chimney I don't have these problems. Now checking all the smoke detectors, THAT too is a great idea for preventing fires.

Congrats on the feature. I had to reblog this post because you make some excellent points. We use our fireplace every year and I have not had mine checked in. This was a good reminder and I wanted to share the tips with others. Thanks!

So Michael,

Are you telling me that I should no longer pour a gallon of gas in there to give it a jump start.

I was curious what a WDO was. Thanks for the clarification.

You've presented important information I'm sure many of us are guilty of not doing prior to lighting fire.

OCT

2009

Good advice. Years ago when I was national VP of a large factory built fireplace company, I dreaded dealing with the product liablity cases where people had died. There were some very sad stories, and indeed fireplaces can be very dangerous if you do not respect that danger.

Great Advice Thanks

Michael,

There's nothing like a real fire! But, many people in urban areas use "manufactured fireplace logs. Are they as riky?

Brian

Michael, I am always a bit leary of burning my FP. Being in Texas is my bright side though. I only have to burn a fire a few times a year and not for long. Mostly just for atmosphere.

Now, my alarms are sitting in a box on my dresser....yikes. Great reminder.

Deb

Michael,

A good marketing postcard to send out...you know, like the 'fall back -spring forward, new batteries in your alarms/ and Hey...don't forget your fireplace cleaning! Good pro-active seasonal post!

Great information Michael.... Just today when the fireplace was removed from the Extreme Makeover home to be donated, I thought about the installation and use of a used fireplace.

OCT

2009

Good tips for those of us in the nation that use fireplaces! I don't think the AZ or FL folk really care ;-) I've got to do this . . . AND have the furnace serviced. Great reminder!!

This all very good info But I have found out over the years that Chimney Sweeps can be held liable for advise that they may give you. They are always going to give you the very worse case scenario and possibly cost you a lot more then you need to spend. For instance my wood stove is a Tempwood which has not been made for years because it does not have a catalytic converter. It is a big black box that heats up really fast and really hot, works great.........but the chimney sweep tells me a should get a new wood stove because the newer ones are more efficient. I have spoken to many Tempwood owners and they won't give up their stove for any newer models as I don't want to. The Chimney Sweep also told me I needed my chimney scanned for possible problems, which will cost $250 more then the regular cleaning, I called another company who had never hear of a chimney scan. Mirrors work just fine when looking in to the chimney.

Not to say your post wasn't a good one it is just that there is more behind getting your chimney checked and cleaned. Your post should be printed and put in front of every wood stove and fireplace where there are tenants renting.

OCT

2009

Perfect Timing as the weather is turning cold

Hello Michael,

Great tips for homeowners with fireplaces! Terrific post & advice! Thank you!

Chris

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