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News

ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
2/23/2012 Press Release

Knowing BEFORE prevents tragedy AFTER: Chimney Safety Institute of America offers tips for fire safety

Knowing BEFORE prevents tragedy AFTER: Chimney Safety Institute of America offers tips for fire safety

INDIANAPOLIS – Awareness and preventative action are the keys to chimney safety. The Chimney Safety Institute of America offers tips to avoid deadly and damaging chimney fires:

• Keep chimney clear and capped. Make sure tree branches and leaves are at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney. Contagious flames or sparks can jump from the fire source, quickly igniting other close objects, which can spread to neighboring premises. Installing a chimney cap can help prevent debris and animals from blocking the opening.

• Choose the right fuel. For burning firewood in wood stoves or fireplaces, choose well-seasoned wood that has been split for a minimum of six months to one year and stored in an elevated, covered location. Never burn Christmas trees, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace or wood stove.

• Keep the hearth area clear and remove ashes. Combustible material too close to the fireplace or a wood stove, can easily catch fire. Be sure to keep furniture at least 36” away from the hearth. When you clean the fireplace, discard ashes in a closed metal container and place it away from the house until they have fully cooled.

• Install smoke detectors. Place detectors throughout the house and check batteries in the spring and fall. When you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time, remember to check your batteries.

• Be on the safe side. Before using your fireplace, woodstove or furnace each season, the Chimney Safety of America recommends an inspection by a professional to ensure that your chimney’s interior has not suffered damage or significant creosote build-up that would allow heat or hazardous gases to invade your living space.

• Hire a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®. When in doubt, ensure your home and family’s safety by hiring a chimney professional. CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps® have earned the chimney and venting industry's most respected credential by passing an intensive examination based on fire codes, clearances and standards for the construction and maintenance of chimney and venting systems. This knowledge allows them to expertly diagnose and solve chimney and venting problems.

# # #

The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards.

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2155 Commercial Drive  |  Plainfield, IN 46168
 (317) 837-5362 | office@csia.org
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  • Homeowner Resources
    • Chimney Safety Week
    • Community Resources
    • How to Hire a Chimney Sweep >
      • Multiple Estimates - Now What?
      • About Chimney Inspections
    • Why CSIA Credentials are the Industry Standard >
      • How do Chimneys Work? Design & Function of Chimneys.
    • About Your Chimney & Venting System >
      • Anatomy of Your Fireplace
      • Chimney Liners
      • Chimney Safety Overview
      • Gas Appliances
      • Oil-fired Appliances
      • Water & Your Masonry Chimney
    • The Facts About Chimney Fires
    • Properly Storing & Burning Wood >
      • How to Select Firewood
      • How to Build a Top-Down Burn
      • Installing Woodstoves and Inserts
      • Handling Wood Ash
    • Clothes Dryer Safety
    • Chimney Swifts
    • FAQ
  • Get Certified
    • CSIA National Training Academy
    • CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep
    • CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
    • CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist
    • CSIA Master Chimney Sweep
    • Renew Your Credential
    • CSIA Exam Administration
    • Accepted Exam Proctors
    • Proctor Free
  • Education
    • CSIA Event Calendar
    • Class Schedule
    • In-Person Training >
      • CSIA 4-Day Workshops
      • Chimney Documentation to Reduce Liability & Increase Profits
      • Installing and Troubleshooting Gas Hearth Appliances
      • Chimney Science
      • Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals
      • Rope Access and Safety
    • CSIA eLearning >
      • Subscription
      • À La Carte
      • Online Chimney Physics
      • Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel
      • Certified Chimney Sweep® CVE Online Review - NEW
      • Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Online Review
    • CSIA ROADSHOW
    • Apply for CEUs
    • Military Benefits
    • Instructors
    • CSIA White Papers
  • Partner with Us
    • CSIA Accepted Products >
      • ChimFex Fire Suppressant
      • Creosote Buster Firelog
      • CSL Creosote Sweeping Log
      • Duraflame Firelogs
      • Duct Cleaners Supply
      • National Chimney
      • SaverSystems
    • CSIA Access
    • Donor Recognition
    • Sweep Away Cancer
  • Sweep Shop
  • About
    • MEDIA >
      • Annual Chimney Fire and Carbon Monoxide Statistics
      • News
      • CSIA Video Library
    • Mission & Leadership
    • Blog
    • Contact
    • Preferred Hotels
    • Affiliates & Resources
    • Refund Policy
    • Trademarks & Ethics Processes
  • CCS & CDET Login