Chimney fires are a major threat to your property. This is caused by creosote buildup in the chimney. Creosote is a gummy, tar-like substance which can be found in the flue. This substance can catch fire and the first stage of the fire cannot be noticed immediately. However, when creosote catches fire, it has a sound which would be like a jet on a low altitude. The most common accident which involves fireplaces is chimney failure. Due to wear and tear the bolts and bricks may eventually wither and break. First signs of this are cracks that you may find in some of the visible masonry. However, another reason for the wear and tear of the chimney is poor maintenance. That is why it is highly advised to have your chimney maintained by experts who know all about what to do. Have your chimney checked to answer the question: is your fireplace safe?

The proper depth for a fireplace must be considered. For smaller fireplaces, you will want to consider getting a gas coal basket. There are some new models that could fit well in a fireplace as small as 5-1/2”. There are different modern fireplace models that could provide some heat even with limited or small venting requirements. The gas coal basket for example, is a great alternative to burning real coal and wood, which can be pretty messy. Traditional wood and coal-based fireplaces needs regular maintenance. There are multiple depth configurations for these.

Prefabricated fireplaces are the easier and more affordable choice to install, rather than having a traditional one. The best thing about prefabricated fireplaces is that they come with the right height, width and depth. The only thing left to calculate is the height of the chimney and flue size. Both the chimney and flue size must be proportioned so you won’t have to inhale excessive smoke in the room. Chimneys would also mean more work as well. There are build ups in the chimney that should be cleaned out regularly to avoid chimney fires. To avoid chimney fires, the creosote must be removed by having the chimney cleaned at least seasonally.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were at least 18,300 fires that were caused by chimneys. The fires cost $160 million in property damages, and left 160 injured and 40 dead. The Chimney Safety Institute of America commented that these residential fires would have been prevented if homeowners had been more concerned about their chimneys. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that homeowners should conduct yearly chimney inspections to avoid potential fire hazards.

The common misconception that homeowners have about their chimneys is that they believe that their chimneys should only be cleaned if they burn wood. It is concerning that a lot of homeowners clean their basements, garages, and roof gutters, and they neglect to take time to inspect and make repairs for their chimneys. They are taking a great risk by not looking after their chimneys. If homeowners fail to check their chimneys, the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning will go up. You can buy a carbon monoxide detector to check the carbon monoxide levels in your living room, but you should also have your chimney inspected regularly.

The importance of a well maintained chimney cannot be overstated. You will save you and your family from a potentially tragic situation by simply having these regular chimney checkups.

Family camping is also widespread during summer months. It is necessary to follow the rules of the park or other theme areas when making camp fires. Summer is the time to enjoy and relax, and following some simple fire safety tips will help you have a memorable summer experience.

• As much as possible, do not use fireworks at home. You can watch fireworks displays at parks where you can enjoy their beauty more safely. In fact, towns and cities all over Middle Tennessee put on their own fireworks displays. If you do use them at home, do not light them inside the house or near gas tanks. Always make sure that there is water readily available in case of fire, and ensure that fire extinguishers are working. Do not stand close to the fireworks, and do not wear loose clothing in order to prevent fire from reaching your clothes. Make sure that there are no children near the fireworks, and do not allow them to handle the fireworks.
• When barbeque grilling, make sure that the propane gas and the fuel line are properly connected. Ensure that the tubes are not blocked, and do not fill the propane tank to the fullest. Take safety precautions when using lighter fluid, and never add it to a grill that is already lit. Keep the lighters and matches away from the fire, and dispose of the coal properly. Do not grill in an enclosed area, because the smoke will emit poisonous carbon monoxide.
• During campfires, build the fire in an area far from grass and other plants so that the fire will not spread. Keep the fire small so it will be easier to extinguish. Do not leave the fire unattended, and always have water ready in case the fire starts to get too big.

One way of solving this problem is to know first how the smoking occurred, and what can you do to get rid of the smoke:

Damper. The damper is one of the first things to check during when the fireplace is smoking, although it is sometimes overlooked. The damper is the part of chimney the opens and closes to allow the smoke to get out. It is found near the chimney opening on top of the chimney. Check your damper if your fireplace is smoking to see if it is open or closed.

Animals. Birds and other animals are known to build nests inside the chimneys. Most fireplaces are used during the winter only, which makes them idle for several months. This allows birds to nest inside the chimneys. Within those months that chimneys are idle, many birds could have nests inside and the accumulated nests may go in the chimney stack and build up there. Insects such as wasps and bees may also build hives, and dead animals, like squirrels and raccoons, may be caught inside.

Creosote Buildup. Creosote builds up because of burning fires in the woodstove or fireplace. Creosote contains water and carbon by-products that are dangerous when inhaled. Creosote forms when carbon is pushed by hot air inside the cool flue. Water will condense and will mix with carbon-based products which may cause fireplace smoke.

Prevention and Repair. The most easy and effective solution to prevent and fix the chimney smoke is to employ a chimney sweep to thoroughly clean your entire chimney.

Equipment Safety

• Use new fuel for your generator. If you are going to store your generator for 30 days or more, use a fuel stabilizer to calm the petrol.
• Allow the generator to cool before refueling, because vapors and fuel are extremely combustible.
• Follow the maintenance schedule of your generator in order for it to work its best.
• Do not coil the cords because it may cause them to get hot. Uncoil the cords and lay them on a flat surface.

Personal Safety

• Read the manual and follow instructions when operating a portable generator.
• Use your generator outside the home, and make sure the place is properly ventilated.
• While using your generator, use a battery operated carbon monoxide detector.
• Keep away combustible materials when operating your portable generator
• Operate your generator on level ground
• Use heavy duty cords for your generator to handle the electricity load.
• Do not plug the generator into your home circuit directly.
• Ask an electrician about Emergency Manual Power Transfer System if you are planning to connect the generator to your home electrical line.

Usage Tips

• Determine the wattage guide and plan the appliances that you will connect with your generator.
• Test your generator before the actual usage so that you will be familiar with how to operate it in case of emergencies.
• Always have a flashlight ready to operate the generator easily in the dark.
• Place your generator in a convenient place.
• Ensure that the battery of your generator is fully charged, especially if it needs an electric start.
• Operate your generator relatively often to lubricate the engine.
• Keep a supply of new gasoline and make sure that an extension cord is always ready.
• Plug the appliances in one after the other to avoid overloading.
• Make sure that your generator has cooled down before storing it.
• Cover your generator when not in use to avoid dirt and dust getting into the engine.

• Constant heat. A natural gas fireplace can provide you a continuous supply of heat unlike with log fireplace.
• No hauling. You do not need to cut down a tree, chop and season firewood and burn wood in a natural gas fireplace.
• No sparks. You do not need to clean out ashes or other wood particles after using your fireplace simply because you did not make use of logs.
• Energy saving. You can save 25% energy using a natural gas fireplace.
• Easy to work. A natural gas fireplace is easy to operate because you only need to turn it on and off when operating it.
• Safer to use. Natural gas fireplace is safer and environmentally friendly because there is no smoke or dust particles that come from the fireplace.
• Stylish. Natural gas fireplaces have various styles and designs to choose from that will add elegance and value to your property. Design has improved, and more stylish options have become available in recent years.
• Warmer. Some gas fireplaces come with a blower that distributes warm air everywhere in your home – not just in one place where it is located.
• Remote. Some manufacturers produce a natural gas fireplace with remote control – just like with TV – to make it easy to use.
• No bans. Some states have banned log firewood for concerns regarding the environment.
• No storage. You do not need to store gas because they can be bought easily with local gas vendors. Unlike with log fireplace that you need to pile up firewood.
• Good for kids. This is safer for kids and pets unlike with log fireplaces.

There are two main functions of your chimney – the first is to release smoke out of your house and to provide air for the fire. Factors to watch for in checking your chimneys are the height of your chimney, the diameter of your chimney, the location of your chimney, chimney bends and your home’s air tightness. Following the right guidelines can help you in building your chimney or in renovating your current chimney structure for the best performance it can provide to you and your home.

The height of your chimney – For this rule, usually, the higher your chimney is – the better. A high chimney will give more pressure and air for your fire. Excess pressure in the chimney is easier to deal with than a chimney that lacks pressure inside.

The diameter of your chimney – Like with the height of your chimney, the diameter of your chimney has the same effect with regards to the pressure in your chimney. A chimney with a very broad diameter can be a problem because it allows too much air in the chimney making the smoke cool. Minimize the diameter of your chimney; put a lining to lessen the diameter if it is too wide.

Home tightness – A home that is too air-tight can bring problems in your home. It is important to allow air to flow inside your home to prevent fire and too much smoke.

How to fix your leaking chimney:

• Check each part of the chimney, both inside and outside of the home. Evidence of water is easily detected inside the house through stains or swollen walls. Look carefully to see more signs of leaking water. Check the exterior chimney of all its parts. Check the chimney cap if it has cracks or is dislodging.
• Inspect the mortar and flashing. Spalled brick and missing mortar can cause water leakage as well. Check the flashing to see if it is properly installed. The chimney flashing is the part that connects the chimney to the roof. Look to see if it is inadequate, corroded or worn.
• A chimney that is cracked can be replaced with new materials or repaired. In replacing the cap, make sure to put a waterproof covering on the surface of the cap.
• If your chimney is the masonry type, cover all surfaces with a waterproof coating. Apply waterproof material with commercial quality to avoid wasting time and money.
• If the problem is the flashing, hire a professional chimney expert to do the job.

If you are not sure of the things that you see, hire a chimney professional to inspect them. Fires can be prevented by having someone with a knowledgeable eye look at the problem.