Home Heating Safety Tips: Part 1

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

It’s feeling like winter again here in Catonsville, which means turning up the heat and staying as cozy as possible at home, something you probably do without much thought. However, with anything that has potential to cause a fire, it’s a good idea to exercise caution, especially with space heaters, fireplaces, and wood burning stoves.

Check out these tips for Wood Burning Stoves: 

• Install the stove, chimney connectors and chimneys following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
• Wood stoves should bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
• Start the fire with newspaper or kindling, never with a flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
• Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings. Douse and saturate with water.
• Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.

Have questions about Fire prevention or Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call us at 410-242-7370. We’re here to help.