Here are some ways to avoid them:

 

   • Have your chimney inspected annually by a qualified professional and

   • cleaned when necessary.

   • Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood

   • versus soft wood considerations)

   • Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less

   • smoke. 

   • Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or Christmas trees

   • these can spark a chimney fire.

   • Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where

   • wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as needed.

   • Inspect and clean catalytic combustors on a regular basis, where

   • applicable

 

 

If you realize a chimney fire is occurring, follow these steps:

 

   • Get everyone out of the house, including yourself.

   • Call the fire department.

 

If you can do so without risk to yourself, these additional steps may help save your home. Remember, however, that homes are replaceable, lives are not:

 

   • Put a chimney fire extinguisher into the fireplace or wood stove.

   • Close the glass doors on the fireplace.

   • Close the inlets on the wood stove.

   • Use a garden hose to spray down the roof (not the chimney) so the fire

   • won’t spread to the rest of the structure.

 

For more chimney safety tips, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America.