Wildfire Prevention

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Joshua

As the summer gets closer, wildfires can become a problem. While we often hear about them in the southwest and on the west coast, they can happen in any area of the country. There are some naturally occurring wild fires, but the majority are caused by people carelessly using fire while in the wilderness. In fact, humans are responsible for 90% of wildfires.

Here are some tips to help you avoid starting a wildfire:

  • Don’t store flammable liquids or substances near your home.
  • Make sure your family has a fire evacuation plan.
  • Obey outdoor burning bans. This is especially critical in rural areas.
  • Keep your lawnmower and any other outdoor equipment in good working order.
  • Report any suspicious activities to your local law enforcement and fire officials.
  • Don’t weld outdoors unless you have a spotter, a bucket of water and a shovel.

We can keep our communities, families and environment safe by using common sense precautions. It is the responsibility of everyone.

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Fire Sprinklers In The Home

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Joshua

We see businesses with fire sprinkler systems all the time. However, we don’t always think about adding them to our homes. We are probably over-reliant on our smoke detectors. Since there has been a big national push for a long time to encourage the use of smoke detectors, there is probably a notion that they alone will keep you safe.

Don’t misunderstand. We are very much in favor of smoke detectors. They actually save lives every year. However, we want people to understand that installing a sprinkler system in their home raises the chance of surviving a fire significantly. While a smoke alarm can alert you to the presence of smoke, the sprinkler system can keep the fire at bay or even put it out altogether.

In conjunction with smoke alarms, sprinkler systems will be a big aid to you and your family in the event of a fire. Check out this video from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regarding fire sprinklers in the home.

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Home Security Alarms & Fire Prevention

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Joshua

Many of you have home security alarms. It’s been really amazing to watch the technological growth of this industry. Now, home owners are able to utilize features that only big corporations could have afforded not that long ago. Did you know that fire prevention and monitoring is one of the features that can be added with a security alarm system?

Security Alarm companies can install smoke alarms that are connected to their network. That way, not only is the family alerted to potential fire in the house, but the security company’s call center is also alerted. They can then alert emergency services, which can save minutes or even seconds in getting your family to safety. There are several security companies available here in the Middle Tennessee area. Of those, we would highly recommend Linda Stubblefield at Unlimited Security.

Take some time to talk it over with your family. It would be a very good idea to add a fire alarm to your home security package. It would be another set of eyes looking out for you and your family.

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Why Chimney Owners Should Want a Draft

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Joshua

We have long felt that making our homes airtight was a good thing. After all, it would make our utility bills go down, and it would also be the environmentally friendly thing to do. However, as home construction technology has improved, home owners with chimneys are finding that completely airtight houses have unexpected complications.

These complications come from the need for a chimney to be vented. You see, without proper ventilation, a downdraft is brought in through the chimney. This will cause smoke to come out through the fireplace, the only place for it to go. The solution is definitely not to remove your energy efficient windows. You will just need to install a combustion air duct. This will give the fire in your fireplace the ventilation it needs.

Be sure to hire a licensed chimney specialist to install the duct. They possess the skills to correctly fix the ventilation problem, and will be able stand by their work should any issues arise.

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Electrical Fire Safety Advice from the U.S. Fire Administration

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Joshua

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), electrical fires cause the deaths of more than 310 Americans each year. 1,100 more are injured. Many of those fires originated from faulty wiring, and incorrect use of electrical appliances. The USFA is emphasizing these dangers in order to better educate the public.

In any given year, there are 28,600 fires and $1.1 billion dollars in damage to property. It has also been found that December and January are the most dangerous months. This is due in large part to more indoor activities, and more electrical appliance use. While bedrooms are the usual starting place of electrical fires, they can occur in any room in the house. Here are some of the most often cited causes of home electrical fires:

  • Most electrical distribution fires come from fixed wiring sources. These sources include old wiring, faulty outlets, any electrical cords and any bad electrical switches.
  • Lighting fixtures and lamps are frequent causes of electrical fires. This is why it’s always important to turn off lamps when you leave the house. If they are knocked over, they can easily cause a fire.
  • Poor electrical maintenance, overloading a circuit and running cords under high traffic carpet areas are also common causes of electrical fires.

Here is the USFA’s advice for preventing electrical fires:

  • Routinely check the wiring of your electrical appliances.
  • Replace any damaged wiring immediately.
  • Keep electrical appliances away from water.
  • Replace any electrical tools that start to malfunction.
  • Keep clothes or curtains a safe distance (3 feet) away from heaters.
  • Only use outlets that support the number of prongs that your appliances utilize. For instance, don’t try to force a 3 prong plug into a 2 prong outlet.
  • Child-proof electrical outlets with safety closures.
  • Don’t let children play with electrical appliances like hair dryers and space heaters.
  • Correctly use extension cords. Never overload them.
  • Professionally replace any light fixtures that begin to flicker.

Stay up to date on best practices regarding your electrical appliances. This will ensure the safe use of our modern conveniences.

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Tips for Hiring a Chimney Sweep

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Joshua

When you are looking to hire a service professional, it can be a daunting task. Who should you trust? What are the questions you should ask? Here are some tips for those times when you may need to hire a chimney sweep:

  1. Check with trade organizations. Groups like the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) can point you to a sweep in good standing. Members of that group have a code of ethics that they are required to live up to. You may also find local trade groups that can point you in the right direction.
  2. Check to see what chimney sweeps in your area are registered with the Better Business Bureau. See if there are excessive complaints about any of the sweeps.
  3. It is important for any sweep that services your chimney to have Workers’ Compensation Insurance and Liability Insurance. This shows that the sweep is actually a legitimate business.
  4. Ask the sweep for references. Do they come highly recommended?
  5. Be sure to get written estimates from different sweeps. A good chimney sweep won’t be afraid to put their service up against their competitors.
  6. What steps will they take to care for the inside and outside of your home?
  7. What guarantees do they put on the service provided? You want a sweep that stands by their work.

A little diligence goes a long way to making sure you have a great experience with your chimney sweep. This also makes it easier to maintain your chimney, because you won’t dread having to make that call.

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    Be Aware of Recalls

    Posted on May 5, 2011 by Joshua

    Recalls happen in every industry, and consumers need to be aware how they are affected. Products that service the chimney and fireplace industry are no exception. Here are some recent recalls:

    • March 8, 2011 – Sunjoy Industries Recalls Outdoor Wood Burning Fireplaces Sold Exclusively at Lowe’s Stores Due to Fire Hazard
    • March 1, 2011 – Lennox Hearth Products Recalls Natural Gas Log Set Burner Assemblies Due to Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

    The National Chimney Sweep Guild has a detailed page that lists all chimney related product recalls. Be sure to check often if you have a fireplace and chimney. These recalls often refer to fire hazard or carbon monoxide poisoning issues. This information may just save you and your family one day.

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    Arson Prevention

    Posted on May 3, 2011 by Joshua

    Arson is a big problem in this country, and it causes millions of dollars in damage every year. There are the obvious costs of arson: death, injury, and loss of property. Then there are costs we don’t always think about, such as insurance costs. Think about it. Every time an insurance company has to pay for arson damage, our collective insurance costs go up. Besides prosecuting these crimes, we need do the things we can to prevent arson in the first place.

    For one, install and maintain smoke alarms. Make sure they have functioning batteries, and be sure you have extras laying around. We are much more likely to change them when needed if replacements are conveniently nearby. Smoke detectors save countless lives every year.

    Other tips include clearing away debris that is near your home. Certainly clear away anything that could catch fire, whether on purpose or not. Trim overgrown shrubs in your yard. This helps you to clearly see if anything suspicious is going on outside your home.

    Lastly, get to know your neighbors. Knowing the people around you brings the power of a community together. People will watch out for you, as you watch out for them. Arson is preventable, but only if you and your neighbors work together.

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    An Explanation of Creosote

    Posted on April 29, 2011 by Joshua

    Creosote is a common enemy of the chimney. While it is simply a part of owning a fireplace in the home, it is important to understand why you need to have creosote cleaned regularly. Regular chimney maintenance will keep creosote from causing a catastrophic fire in your home.

    First of all, how does creosote get in your chimney in the first place? It is a naturally occurring by product of the low temperature burning of fossil fuels and wood. When wood, for instance, is burned in a fireplace, the temperature is too low to fully burn the oils in the wood. They escape into the chimney via smoke, and begins to cool. As it does this, it causes water, carbon and other volatiles to condense on the sides of the chimney flue. This condensation creates a black, tarry substance called creosote.

    During the heavy use season, creosote can build up to several inches thick. This reduces the air flow necessary for safe chimney operation. It also keeps the wood from burning at a high temperature. If enough creosote has built-up, simply leaving the flue open for air flow can ignite a fire. This is because the highly flammable substance has come into contact with hot oxygen and ignited.

    Here are some key things to keep in mind in order to avoid a creosote-induced fire:

    • Have your chimney regularly cleaned. At minimum, clean it annually.
    • Don’t use coniferous woods (spruce, pine, fir).
    • Make sure the wood is seasoned before burning. This means making sure the wood is dry inside as well as out.
    • Check the chimney throughout the burning season.

    Don’t let creosote cause a fire that can be stopped by simple maintenance. That way, you can enjoy your fireplace safely, and for years to come.

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    The Invisible Danger of Carbon Monoxide

    Posted on April 25, 2011 by Joshua

    Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a silent, invisible threat that needs to be monitored in every home. Fortunately, a Carbon Monoxide detector can help with that. You must remember, however, that they don’t last forever. A correctly working detector will cease being effective after around 7 years. This warning does not come from CO detector manufacturers trying to sell more units. It comes from years of experience from fire departments receiving false CO alarms from old monitors.

    It is important to remember that Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas. It’s potential presence should be taken very seriously. In your home, it can come from any appliance that is fueled by flames. Examples of these appliances are gas ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, kerosene space heaters, vehicles and water heaters. Open flames are the most common source of CO. Anyone experiences elevated levels of CO will feel dizzy, nauseous or faint.

    Along with maintaining a properly working Carbon Monoxide detector, there are some other ways to decrease CO exposure in your home. One is to have your chimney regularly cleaned and maintained. This eliminates obstructions that could push smoke back into your home. Another is to have your dryer vent routinely cleaned. This also allows the free flow of air from a hot appliance.

    Keep your family safe by properly maintaining CO and smoke detectors and any flame fueled appliances.

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