FIRE STOPS WITH YOU
Fireplace and Home Fire Safety: A Factsheet on Rural Fire Safety
and Prevention
More than one-third of
Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired
appliances as primary heat sources in their homes.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when
heating with wood and solid fuels.
Heating fires account for 36%
of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these
fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes.
All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function
safely and efficiently.
The United States Fire
Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice the following
fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning.
Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility... Fire
Stops With You!
Keep Fireplaces and Wood
Stoves Clean
Have your chimney or wood
stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney
specialist.
Clear the area around the
hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
Always use a metal mesh
screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning
a fire.
Install stovepipe
thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
Keep air inlets on wood
stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces.
Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to
a chimney fire.
Use fire-resistant materials
on walls around wood stoves.
Safely Burn Fuels
Never use flammable liquids
to start a fire.
Use only seasoned hardwood.
Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
Build small fires that burn
completely and produce less smoke.
Never burn cardboard boxes,
trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
When building a fire, place
logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting
grate.
Never leave a fire in the
fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to
bed or leaving the house.
Soak hot ashes in water and
place them in a metal container outside your home.
Protect the Outside of Your
Home
Stack firewood outdoors at
least 30 feet away from your home.
Keep the roof clear of
leaves, pine needles and other debris.
Cover the chimney with a
mesh screen spark arrester.
Remove branches hanging
above the chimney, flues or vents.
Protect the Inside of Your
Home
Install smoke alarms on
every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the
batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new
long life smoke alarms.
Provide proper venting
systems for all heating equipment.
Extend all vent pipes at
least three feet above the roof.
For More Information
Contact:
The United States Fire Administration
Office of Fire Management Programs
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
