- PENSACOLA SHOWROOM: 7555 Highway 98 West, Suite A, Pensacola, FL 32506
- DESTIN SHOWROOM: 36054 Emerald Coast Pkwy #100, Destin, FL 32541
Cooler days mean the home heating season is just around the corner. And though most homes have a modern efficient central heating system in place, it’s hard to beat the allure of a crackling fireplace – or toasty wood stove – on a chilly night, but fireplaces and wood stoves bring with them their own maintenance and safety concerns. According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety, in 2018, there were 556 fire incidents involving chimneys, fireplaces, and woodstoves in Massachusetts. These fires caused one civilian death, three civilian injuries, and seven firefighter injuries, and resulted in $3 million in property losses.
Before you light up that fireplace or wood stove this season, make sure your appliance or location is safe. Below are key fireplace and wood stove safety tips from the Office of Fire Safety. “The most important message is for people to have their chimneys cleaned and inspected by a licensed professional before the start of the heating season,” said Jennifer Meith, public information officer for the Department of Fire Services. “Most chimney fires occur because of a build-up of creosote, a tarry byproduct of burning wood. “Have your chimney flue cleaned before each heating season,” Meith advised, adding, “Burn only dry, well-seasoned, hardwood to reduce creosote accumulation. Many chimney fires escape the chimney through cracked and broken mortar.”
According to the Fire Safety website, it’s also important to take into account your main heating source before firing up that fireplace or wood stove, especially if you are a new homeowner. Solid fuel heating devices – meaning fireplaces or stoves that burn wood or wood pellets – cannot share a common chimney flue with another heating device that burns solid fuel, fossil fuel such as oil or propane, or natural gas. This can create a dangerous carbon monoxide situation based on fuel-burning points. Have your chimney and fireplace or stove inspected by a professional before using them in a new home. Make certain that the damper is opened before lighting any fireplace or wood stove. A closed damper can again create a dangerous carbon monoxide situation in the home. If using a wood stove or fireplace, make certain that there is a three-foot circumference around the device that is free of potentially flammable materials and items.
Use a fire screen with a working fireplace to control sparks and embers that might fly out of the fire onto adjacent floors, carpets or furniture. Never use a flammable liquid to start the fire. Never leave children alone near a burning fireplace or hot wood stove. Always shovel ashes from a fireplace or wood stove in a metal container with a metal lid, placed outside, on the ground, away from the home. Be sure that home has both fire and carbon monoxide detectors installed, and make certain they are in working order before firing up the fireplace or wood stove for the season.
If your fall plans include buying and installing a wood stove to supplement your home heating, the Department of Fire Services has these reminders: According to the Massachusetts State Building Code, homeowners need a building permit to install a fireplace, wood pellet or coal-burning stove in their home. Make certain your new stove is approved by a national testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory before installation. Have your stove professionally installed to ensure a safe hook-up, or have it inspected by a professional before first use if you install it yourself. For more information about the fireplace, wood stove, and home heating safety, visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-winter-home-heating-safety.
