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Make the prevention of a chimney fire a priorityIf you have a fireplace or a wood stove, you need to be aware of the warning signs of a chimney fire.
What do you do! Evacuate the cabin immediately because fire can flash right through the house with incredible speed. Call the nearest fire department. Empty an ABC rated multipurpose extinguisher into the fireplace or wood stove. The chemical will travel up the chimney and may extinguish the flames. Watch for signs of fire on the roof or nearby. If you can, hose down the roof and surrounding area. Dirty chimneys cause chimney fires. You can take steps to prevent a chimney fire. Burn good quality dry wood that has been split for a minimum of six months to one year and stored in a covered and elevated location. If you have a high efficiency wood stove that can maintain a very slow burning fire, try to have a good rip roaring fire regularly to prevent the continual creation of creosote. Creosote is black or brown in appearance. It can be crusty and flaky, tar-like, drippy and sticky, or shiny and hardened. Often, you can find all forms in one chimney.
Wood burning appliances require regular maintenance to be safe and reliable. If you use your wood burning stove or fireplace frequently, it's an important fire safety practice to have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly by a qualified and certified chimney sweep. Your chimney should be cleaned after every two full cords of wood are burned. Stove installation and chimney service work are NOT home handyman chores. It requires professional know-how, special training, technical expertise, and familiarity with the local building codes. Always leave stove and chimney installation and maintenance to a professional.
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