By Jonathan, on February 17th, 2012
Every year there are 350,000 to 400,000 house fires in the U.S. with a total of $8 million in damages. The best thing we can do is constantly look for information and knowledge, and educate ourselves on the leading causes of fires. Then, we must look for ways to minimize exposure to possible fire causes.
- Cooking. About 40 percent of fires are cooking related causes. A stove or oven that was left unattended is the primary cause. Second is the leaking hose with a gas opened.
- Kids playing with fire. Kids playing with lighters and matches are also one of the leading causes of fire. Do not left matches and lighters accessible to children. It is important to teach children about fire safety and the effects of playing with fire. Supervision is also important but we are not always there to stay with the kids.
- Smoking. Smoking is especially dangerous when you are near combustible materials like curtains, documents and bed. As much as possible, do not smoke inside the house.
- Heating. Electrical and fuel based heaters are the most common heater related cause of fires.
- Electrical. Electrical problem is probably one of the top lists of fire causes. Most common electrical culprits are an extension cord that was used for many appliances, power shortage and short circuit breaker. It is better to have a professional electrician to check your wirings annually.
- Candles. Candles can be used to set mood, romantic dinner, or power source in case there is a brownout. It is usually the cause of fire because many of us forget that we are using candles so we just leave the house or take a nap without blowing off the candle.
- Fireplace. Improper repair and servicing of your fireplace may cause fire. It is also recommended that you have your fireplace and chimney inspect and clean annually for safety purposes.
- Dryers. Lint that builds up in your dyer vent is often the cause of fires. Have your vent cleaned regularly to remove the lint build up.
- Flammables in the house. The most common flammables in the house are gas and fuels that you store in your house. Avoid storing any flammables and avoid leaving any appliances unattended.
- Christmas Trees. This is the main cause of fire during the holiday season because Christmas lights are usually left opened and unattended during the holidays. Also, buy a Christmas light that is safe to use and passed the accreditation seal of the approving bureau.
By Jonathan, on February 9th, 2012
Being prepared is the best way to save lives, especially if the incident is as serious and fatal as fire. Your possibility of escaping the soonest possible time depends on an early warning alarm that will inform you that there is smoke (or fire!) happening somewhere near you. A fire escape plan is also important for you to know where you should go in case of fire. In making an escape plan, make sure that everybody is present in planning so they can contribute ideas, and understand the plans from the start. Inspect your house and check for possible escape routes. If you have children, drawing the escape plan may help them more easily understand it. Be sure to put important details like doors, windows, and fire extinguishers. Installing smoke alarms are very advantageous. Put alarms in every room, in the hallways, and on every floor. It is better to connect each alarm with each other so when one sounds, all the other will create sound too.
Each and every person in the home should be familiar with the fire escape plan. Study your plan and make sure that routes are free from hindrances or obstruction. Ensure also that doors and windows are easy to open. Assign a place outside of the house where you will stay and meet up as soon as you get out of the house. Mark this meeting place also in your escape plan. Check your home address if it is clearly indicated outside of your house. Make sure that firemen and responding personnel can see it clearly. Make sure that everybody knows what number to call in case of emergency, it can be direct to the firemen or neighbor’s contact number. Infants, children and older adults should always be the priority in escaping. They have mobility limitations and they need help during emergencies. If parents are not home during fire, assign someone to assist them in escaping. Inform your visitors and guests also about the escape plan, especially if they have plans of sleeping overnight in your place.
By Jonathan, on February 2nd, 2012
Bedrooms are where fires often start. More than 600 lives were lost due to fire that started in the bedroom. Common causes of these fires are electrical devices that were left unattended, or misuse of electrical equipments such as extension cords. Other fire triggers include children playing with lighters and matches, smoking in bed, and arson. These are some basic reminders to keep you safe and prevent damage of property and loss of life.
- Children are at a higher risk for deaths caused by bedroom fires. They are prone to playing with matches and lighters. In their bedroom, minimize materials that are easily combustible like paper piles, rags, curtain, etc. Inform your child of the dangers of playing with fire.
- Do not plug cords near beds, curtains, clothes, and rags. Do not trap cords near the wall or place them under carpets and rags. Also, do not leave laptops on your bed.
- Never smoke in bed – No matter how conscious you are.
- Install smoke alarms in all bedrooms for safety, and practice a floor escape plan from the bedroom to the outside.
- If you are using candles to help you fall asleep, extinguish it before you get sleepy. If you don’t, you might forget it and find yourself trapped in fire inside your room. Furthermore, keep it away from curtains, bed sheets, clothes and rags and other flammable materials like books and papers.
- Take extra precautions when using space heaters, do not put anything on top of them, and keep flammable materials away from them.
- Lamp shades, alarm clocks, and other materials that use electricity should be used with extra caution. If possible, use a battery-operated alarm clock. If you have to re-charge your gadgets, do it during the day.
Bedroom fire safety is not difficult. Giving attention to small details can make a big impact, and will give you safety and peace of mind. Emergency preparedness and knowledge of fire safety are a must in every household in order to protect your family and your property.
By Jonathan, on January 26th, 2012
Installing a fireplace in your home makes your place cozy, warm and intimate. It also increases the value of your home. Fireplaces are a good accent to your house besides the fact that they are important too. Fireplaces are ideal for relaxation and for spending time with family. Choosing where to place your fireplace at home can be one of the most stressful decisions that you may encounter when beautifying your home.
The first thing that you need to consider in choosing the area for your fireplace is to know how you want your fireplace to contribute to the overall look of your house. Consider the area, including its parameters and layout, to see if the fireplace will fit in there. Measure the space to get an idea of how big (or small) your fireplace will be. This will also help you decide on what style or design will fit in your chosen location. Make sure it looks good with the other furnishings that are in your living room.
Another thing to consider is the type of fireplace that you want for your home. It may be a wood or gas burning fireplace. A gas burning fireplace is better if you will be starting from scratch. This keeps you from extensive chimney building. If you have a wood hearth installed already, you may want to convert it to a gas fireplace. Others may decide on wood fireplaces because of the thrill of cutting and burning wood in the fireplace, and to get a more traditional look. Fireplaces also come with different accessories that you will need to have in your house. Fireplace screens, mantles, and wood racks should have a place in your living room as well. Materials for fireplaces vary from wood, copper, iron, bricks and marble. Choose the one that will complement the other furniture and style in your living room. This will help you fully appreciate the beauty of your fireplace.
By Jonathan, on January 20th, 2012
Newly chopped firewood contains approximately 60% of water, and sometimes even more. This causes the wood to burn less efficiently. You need to season the wood first in order to allow the water to dry out until the moisture is around 20% or less. Then, it is ready for burning. Seasoning firewood means letting the water content of the wood evaporate. Drying firewood will make it burn easily, safely and efficiently. Burning unseasoned firewood or partially seasoned wood is dangerous. It can cause a fire due to the creosote that can build up in the chimney. It takes time before the wood gets fully dried, but it can be done in an easy way using some tricks and techniques to speed up the process.
- When chopping wood, make the diameter 6-8 inches and 18” long as much as possible. Place the wood outside.
- Pile the wood properly. Put a base under to keep it off the ground and to avoid soil moisture. A pallet is a good base because it is a few inches higher off the ground.
- Put space between the wood stack and the wall to maintain air flow. Using a pallet as the base of your stack will also provide air flow to your stack. Air can speed up the drying process.
- Only cover the top 1 to 2 feet of the stack. Leave the sides open. Covering any more than that inhibits air circulation and moisture release. If the wood is still green, covering more will just hold in the moisture, and prevent air flow. Covering just the top also helps keep rain and snow off the wood pile.
- Place your pile in a location where it can get the most possible sunlight throughout the day.
It can take up to a full year to thoroughly season a pile of wood, so make sure your technique is correct. If you do it right, you’ll have perfectly seasoned wood for your home.
By Jonathan, on January 13th, 2012
Lint that builds up in the dryer vent can trigger a house fire. It can ignite, and burn quickly if there is not sufficient air circulating from the dryer vent to the outside of the house. Below are some steps to follow for dryer vent cleaning, which will help you avoid a potentially fatal situation.
- Unplug your dryer. Turn off the gas if the dryer is connected to a gas line. You should move the dryer approximately 2 feet away from the wall.
- Loosen the clamp of the vent dryer with a screwdriver. Take the vent away from the dryer.
- Remove lint in the vent and the other places where it builds in the back of the dryer. Usually, lint is found toward the end part of the dryer vent’s hose. If the lint builds up in the middle of the vent hose you can use a rod or stick to push it from the middle to the end of the hose.
- Put the vent clamp back on, and move the dryer to its original place.
- Go outside the house, and remove the cover of the vent. Remove or take away the cover of the outside vent. The tube of the vent should slip right out. Remove the remaining lint inside the dryer vent. You may have to use rod or stick if there is some that you can’t reach. Slip the tube of the vent back in, and replace the cover.
- Plug-in the dryer, and if it is gas-operated, turn on the gas. Turn on the dryer to check if the air is freely flowing.
Take away the panel in the front of the dryer during cleaning. Lint also develops here. While cleaning the dryer vent, avoid sides with sharp edges or any angled blades such as screws inside the dryer. The actual dryer vent cleaning job is not particularly technical or complicated – with the right tools.
Rather than deal with all of this, however, you can just call a certified chimney professional to safely and quickly clean your dryer vent.
By Jonathan, on January 6th, 2012
Cast iron stoves are still widely in use today. Aside from heating, cast iron stoves have other practical uses as well. It mainly functions as both a heating system for your home, as well as a cooking stove. It is practical and versatile all at the same time. It is an excellent choice for many households who are tired of increasing electric bills. The following are some tips on how you can maximize the fuel efficiency of a cast iron stove, as well as how to make them last a long time:
- Try to install fans and air ducts so the heat can circulate within your entire home.
- Use air ventilators to get rid of smoke.
- Protect your stove by installing a trivet that will help prevent rust from developing.
- A thermostat will not only maintain the temperature, but it will also promote safety.
- Like a fireplace, consider having a hearth to protect your floor from the heat of the stove.
- Too much heat can chip or even peel the paint off the stove. When repainting the stove, use a high temperature resistant paint to keep the stove looking good.
- Purchase a cast iron stove kit to restore worn out parts, and to keep your stove in peak condition.
- Steel parts should also be replaced if they are damaged or worn.
- Enamel coated stoves are extremely tough but if they do chip, buy filler kits for touch ups.
There are many homeowners who are seriously considering purchasing a cast iron stove. These stoves are a great alternative heating source during winter or fall. They are also effective, environment friendly, and a charming addition to your home. They require only minimal maintenance, and you are sure to love it for many years to come.
By Jonathan, on December 20th, 2011
From Thanksgiving Day on through the winter season, there are many homeowners who face a dilemma regarding their chimneys, which are not in good shape after years of use. If you are one of these people, it is a good idea to look for professional and dependable people that will solve this issue. There are companies which use their skills and know-how regarding chimney inspections. They are making their initial check to learn if the vent or chimney is doing its purpose safely and securely. Their first inspection is on the heating shaft and the fireplace. These professionals are scrutinizing also if there is smoke tip out, blockages or sometimes intrusion of animals, and signs of water coming in the chimney.
You have to be meticulous in looking for chimney companies that will apply their expertise for chimney inspections before deciding which of them you want to work on your chimney. These professionals should be able to clean or scrub the soot from the bottom up to the top down, replacing the handle and damper and then re-inspecting the whole system. You have to be sure that the workers will be able to pinpoint damages, any possible poor design of the chimney, and any gaps and holes. Any of these issues can cause fire to spread throughout your house. By using these checks, the chimney company should be able identify any potential obstruction or damage to the chimney structure.
It is important for the chimney professionals to explain all of the issues with your chimney in detail. Make sure you understand what they are telling you so you will make the best choice for your home. If the need arises, they may need to install a chimney cap that will keep out weather, debris and animals from your chimney. Another potential solution would be a screen.
Look for a dependable and certified chimney company when dealing with your chimney. Schedule an appointment to get an estimate on pricing and service.
By Jonathan, on December 3rd, 2011
Having a nice, warm, and cozy fireplace where you can relax and snuggle with your loved ones is the perfect thing to come home to from a long, cold, and tiring day. Our fireplaces have indeed given us that sense of relief and comfort. But sometimes we fail to take care of the things that give us pleasure. Just like the simple task of cleaning and maintaining our fireplaces and chimneys. We should never take this for granted because as they bring much satisfaction and enjoyment, they could also bring a great deal of danger to our homes and our lives if they are not properly maintained.
There are many harmful things that spring from a poorly cleaned chimney. Smoke can easily circulate in the house instead of exiting the chimney which can suffocate the people inside. Also, a chimney fire could get out of control, and burn down the roof, ceiling, attic, or even the entire house. One reason for chimney fires is the substance called creosote. This tar-like substance is formed from smoke, gases, vapor, minerals, volatile hydrocarbon, and other particles that are supposed to escape through the chimney flue. But due to the cooler temperature of the chimney walls, it causes a reaction called condensation to occur which transforms these particles into creosote. Instead of freely going out of the chimney, they stick to the chimney flue’s walls. What’s very dangerous about it is that it is extremely combustible. Too much build-up of this in the chimney flue can easily start a chimney fire and can even explode in severe cases.
Factors such as the chimney’s cooler temperature, restricted air supply, and burning unseasoned wood can greatly increase the production of creosote. This is why regular chimney sweeping should be done. It should be free of creosote build-up. The surest way to prevent accidents from ever occurring is by taking care of your fireplace and your chimneys. It’s just a small price to pay considering all the comfort and joy it brings.
By Jonathan, on November 24th, 2011
The holidays are here. In most parts of the country, this is the time for family and friends gathering around the fireplace. After all, it is one of those iconic activities during the holidays. Many carols are sung that talk about the joys of sitting in front of an open fire. You definitely don’t want those types of memories to be marred by a house fire. Believe me, this is a highly personal issue for us at Ashbusters.
Mark Stoner, the founder of Ashbusters, had a terrible holiday experience with a chimney that ended up in a house fire. In fact, that experience was one of the chief reasons he started working as a chimney sweep. He did not want anyone to go through a holiday season having to deal with a house fire. So, we always want to do more than perform chimney services for our customers. We also want to educate them about best practices for their chimney.
The first thing to consider is when the last time your chimney was inspected. Regular chimney inspections can turn up a host of potential fire hazards and chimney damage. You should think about it like you think about maintaining a car. When you don’t have necessary maintenance, like oil changes, performed, your car will cost much more in the long run to fix. Similarly, these chimney inspections turn up small issues that can be fixed before they become much larger issues.
Don’t put off having your chimney inspected. It could end up being a very expensive repair, or much worse. The last thing you want your family to experience this holiday season is a chimney fire. We will be glad to schedule an appointment to take a look at your chimney. We can make sure it will be safe this entire holiday and winter season.
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