Tips For Lighting Your FireplaceCHARLOTTE, N.C.- Our cooler weather has people lighting their fireplaces. Local chimney sweeping businesses are booming but there are a couple things you should do before lighting your first fire. Brandon Forbes says his fireplace saves him money in the winter, "It definitely helps with keeping the house warmer. We don't have to run the furnace as often. It is very important to get your chimney inspected once a year. If not, your home can easily fill up with smoke after your first burn or your can start a chimney fire. More importantly, any unseen issues can cause long term damage. Creosote is unfinished burnt wood. If too much builds up it can start a fire. Eddie Harkanson, Lead Technician from A Chimney Sweep says a lot of people forget to open the damper before lighting a fire, "This is a vacuum. It's going to suck your heat out and it works the opposite way in the summer time and pull hot air in." Harkanson also recommends priming your chimney, "Prime it. Use some newspaper, light the end of the newspaper and hold it under here and let it warm up before you start it." Chris White, Chimney Technician from Owens Chimney Systems says you also need to have your gas logs inspected "Gas produces carbon monoxide which is invisible as oppose to a wood burning fire place where smoke can come out of the fire place." From 2008 to 2010 there were reports of 25,900 structure fires with a total of 90 injuries and 20 deaths due to chimneys. The estimated monetary loss due to these fires were $135.8 million dollars. |
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