Safer, Cleaner Fireplace Burning
updated: Jan 08, 2013, 4:20 PM

Source: Santa Barbara Fire Department

Fireplace fires can cause emergencies and pose serious safety risks. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District have ten tips to keep you and our community safer and healthier.

1. Don't burn trash. Don't burn: plastics, chemicals, wrapping paper, magazines, or colored or coated papers (including newspaper inserts, junk mail, etc.). Also don't burn charcoal, coal, or holiday greens.

2. Be a good neighbor and notice your smoke. Build small hot fires rather than large smoldering ones. Use seasoned hard woods that burn hot and provide complete combustion. Avoid "roaring" fires. They can start chimney fires and can lead to overheating of wall or roof materials.

3. Save your fireplace or woodstove for special occasions.

4. Use a gas log if you can.

5. Clean your chimney.

6. Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel to light or relight a fire because the vapors can explode.

7. Do not allow small children near the fireplace.

8. Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.

9. Be sure no flammable materials hang down from or decorate your mantel.

10. Make sure you have basic fire safety equipment. Keep a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace, install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening, equip your house with smoke detectors, and use a spark arrester on top of your chimney.

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