Chimney Doctors' Homeowner's Guide
How To Avoid A Chimney Fire
*Creosote is the main cause of chimney fires. The build-up of creosote is highly combustible and can result in a chimney fire.
To minimize creosote:
- Burn only seasoned woods
- Do not burn trash in a fireplace or woodstove
- Don't allow the fire to smolder
- Contact your chimney professional to clean your chimney regularly
Think Fire Prevention! Make sure your fireplace habits are safe and do not pose a danger to your home or your neighborhood. It's easy, just follow these seven basic guidelines:
- Have your fireplace inspected annually and cleaned when necessary by a professional chimney sweep. A dirty fireplace can cause chimney fires and inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue.
- Clear the area around the hearth. Debris too close to the fireplace could cause a fire. Check the flue for obstructions and trim overhanging branches or large trees near the chimney. Keep Christmas stockings and holiday decorations away from the firebox when the fireplace is in use.
- Always use a metal, mesh fireplace screen. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire - unless fireplace manufacturers' instructions indicate otherwise.
- Don't use the fireplace as an incinerator, and never burn garbage, Christmas trees, or glossy magazine paper. Be careful not to add too much firewood. In a fireplace, keep the top of the flames visible below the fireplace opening. In a woodstove, keep the flames confined to the woodstove itself.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand and place smoke detectors throughout the house. Test the smoke detectors and batteries regularly. Teach all the family members to operate the fire extinguisher. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in rooms that have a fireplace.
- When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace, on an adequate supporting grate.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Be sure the fire is extinguished before you go to bed. Never leave children unsupervised near the fireplace.
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Chimney Doctors provides chimney and fireplace services to the following Southeastern Milwaukee & Southcentral Madison Wisconsin Communities:
Ashippun, Bayview, Big Bend, Brookfield, Butler, Cambridge, Cedarburg, Colgate, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Cudahy, Deerfield,
De Forest, Delafield, Dousman, Eagle, Elm Grove, Fitchburg, Franklin, Genessee Depot, Germantown, Grafton, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Hartford, Hartland, Hubertus, Ixonia, Jackson, Lannon, Madison, Marshall, McFarland, Menomonee Falls, Mequon, Merton, Middleton, Milwaukee, Monona, Mukwonago, Muskego, Nashotah, Neosho, New Berlin, North Lake, North Prairie, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Oregon, Pewaukee, Port Washington, Richfield, Rubicon, Saukville, Saint Francis, Shorewood, Slinger, South Milwaukee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Sussex, Thiensville, Verona, Wales, Waukesha, Waunakee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, West Bend, and Windsor. Full Zip Code List