FIRE PLACE SAFETY

The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District wishes’ to share some simple rules with regards to safety and maintenance to keep you and your family safe, while gathering around the hearth. Before you burn your first fire of the season, have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 25,000 chimney-related fires occur per year. Chimney cleaning professionals not only clean but inspect for cracks, removal of creosote build-up, critter removal, or for potential hazards such as; tree branches hanging too close to vents. Creosote is a toxin, composed of carbon materials resulting from burning wood. The chimney professional will remove the creosote as well as any obstructions.

Safety tips

  • Be sure that the hearth is clean and free of decorations or flammable materials, such as pillows or throw rugs with a minimal distance of three feet.
  • Assure flue is open before you light the fire (pull on the flue handle, and shine a light up into the chimney and you can see if the flue is open).
  • Always use a metal mesh screen and close when in use.
  • Use a screen on top of chimney to prevent sparks from flying.

Clean out ashes from previous fires.

  • Keep glass doors open during fire.
  • Use fireplace tools.
  • Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended and wait until you see no flames.
  • Extinguish fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
  • Let the fire burn itself out.
  • Assure damper is open.
  • Never place hot ashes in a combustible container.
  • Soak hot ashes and place them in a metal container outside of your home.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
  • Fireplaces should be installed by qualified technicians. To verify that an installer is certified, contact the National Fireplace Institute at .

Rules for Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire. Do not soak logs in flammable liquids for a quick start

• Use only seasoned hardwood and avoid overloading.

• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.

• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace.

• Place logs at the rear of the fireplace on a grate to prevent logs from imploding and/or rolling.

  • Never burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace, because it may produce too much smoke for your flue.

For additional safety tips, visit .