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| Warm and Safe, Part II |
Here are some things YOU can do to ensure a safe and warm winter. Fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys require special maintenance. Burning green wood can cause creosote build-up inside the chimney, which can lead to a chimney fire. Once or twice a year a professional sweep should inspect your chimney at the top where build-up is the heaviest. You can inspect your chimney from the bottom with a mirror and a flashlight. You should do this bi-monthly and the fire department recommends cleaning chimneys when a quarter-inch build-up appears. Some problems can be alleviated by burning only seasoned timber.
Don't forget to use a screen--and make sure it is closed anytime you have a fire to avoid embers escaping and burning your carpet--or worse.
Be careful when removing ashes from your fireplace. Shovel them into a metal container just in case there are any hot embers remaining. And be very sure all the ashes are cold before putting them in or near flammable materials.
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