Have a Wonderful California Thanksgiving with These Fireplace & Chimney Safety Tips

Thanksgiving’s on the way once again, and once again, it’s time to think about getting your chimney and fireplace ready for it. In the San Diego area, we don’t experience the type of Thanksgiving weather found back east, but we still enjoy using our fireplaces. Chimney Sweeps Inc. of Lakeside, CA, would like to share some helpful tips for getting your fireplace and chimney in great shape for the busy season.

The most important tip: Get your chimney inspected

Without having a professional inspect the inside and outside of your chimney, you won’t know if any problems need to be addressed. A licensed chimney inspector can spot:

• Cracks in the chimney crown
• Damage to the chimney cap or chase cover
• Masonry damage
• Chimney leaks
• Problems with the protective chimney flashing
• Breaks or cracks in the chimney liner
• Rusted or inoperable fireplace damper
• Cracked firebricks and refractory panels in the fireplace

Your inspector can also help if you’re having problems with smoke backing up, odors filling the house, and animals in the chimney.

The second-most important tip: Schedule chimney cleaning

Chimney cleaning performed by a certified chimney sweep will remove excess flammable creosote and debris from your flue.

Most of the reported chimney fires throughout San Diego County, CA, each year are started by ignited creosote, a byproduct of smoke condensation. Active chimneys serving wood-burning fireplaces should be swept out once a year.

Chimney sweeps also remove debris, such as leaves, twigs, falling fruit, small animal nests, and the animals that, unfortunately, die in the chimney, unable to escape. All this debris can pack the flue and send smoke and deadly carbon monoxide into your home.

Other important tips

Here’s a checklist to keep handy as Thanksgiving approaches.

Fireplace screen

Consider investing in a quality fireplace screen to shield people and furnishings from flying sparks and embers.

Fireplace doors

Glass fireplace doors will guard the firebox after the fire is over, but while the logs are still hot and dangerous.

Smoke detectors and CO monitors

Install smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide monitor if you don’t already have them. Make sure the batteries work.

Burn firewood only

Never burn plastic, household garbage, furniture pieces, clothing, metal containers, or any other materials in your fireplace except for actual firewood. Non-firewood items can cause flare-ups and send toxic gases into your home.

An invisible barrier

When guests arrive, particularly children, ensure they are aware of an invisible 5-foot barrier around the hearth that they shouldn’t cross.

Know the signs of a chimney fire

The three most common are:

1. Excess dense smoke coming from the top of the chimney or through the fireplace

2. Strange clicking or tapping noises

3. A sound similar to the rumble of a train

If you notice any of these signs, evacuate the house immediately and call 911. Please don’t go back inside until fire personnel say it’s okay to.

Finally, don’t leave an active fire unattended

This goes without saying, but we wanted to say it anyway. Many homes have been destroyed after people left for a trip to the store or friends’ houses without extinguishing the fireplace fire.

This Year Your Safest and Best Thanksgiving Ever

Chimney Sweeps Inc. is here to assist with any necessary chimney and fireplace services as we approach the holidays. If we don’t see you before then, we wish you a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving.