53,700 Reasons to have Your Chimney Serviced

The National Fire Protection Association, reports an annual average of 53,700 residential fires in the United States from 1999 to 2002 related to home heating equipment. As a result of these fires, 320 people died, 1,270 people were injured, and total property losses were set at more than $637 million in property damage each year. > more information

to Avoid Chimney Fires

Creosote is the main cause of chimney fires
A buildup 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.

What to do if You Have a Chimney Fire

Get everyone out of the house.
Call the Fire Department.
Don't close the damper. If you have a fireplace with glass doors, close the doors and the vents. If you have a woodstove, close the doors and the air inlets.
If flames are visible at the chimney top, hose down the roof, but not the chimney. Spraying water on a hot chimney could damage it.
Call a chimney professional before using it again. Even a small chimney fire can damage the chimney, making it unsafe to use.

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