National Fire Prevention Week October 8-14
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) dedicates a week in October each year to raising awareness about fires. House fires, apartment fires, hotel fires, dorm fires, camper and RV fires–they are all deadly. They only allow seconds (two minutes at the most) for a safe escape, and death and injury can most often be prevented with some planning.
Beach Stove and Fireplace Helps Prevent Fires
At Beach Stove and Fireplace, it’s our priority year-round to protect our customers from chimney fires. We do this by selling and installing the best and safest products on the market, and by partnering with Guaranteed Chimney Service for repairs and maintenance. How? By raising awareness in our communities about the dangers of improper use of chimney systems and fire appliances. We do this by partnering with NFPA to promote National Fire Prevention Week.
There are too many deadly house fires each year. In fact, according to NFPA, there were 365,500 home fires in 2015, resulting in over 2,600 deaths and 11,000 injuries. These numbers have decreased substantially since the 1970’s, in large part due to regulations, community education, and swift fire and rescue services. Professionals across industries have made it a priority to bring down this number, and to prevent the loss of life and property. The chimney industry is no different.
Preventing Chimney Fires
The most proactive thing you can do to prevent a chimney fire in your home is to take care of it. A dirty, neglected chimney is the one that will ignite and cause a house fire.
- Always hire a professional to install, assess, or repair components of your fireplace and chimney system.
- Schedule chimney sweeps to clean away debris, soot, and creosote that can bring down chimney efficiency and ignite.
- Schedule annual CSIA inspections to assess your chimney for safety and identify hazards.
- Burn properly seasoned wood in your stove, insert, or fireplace. Never burn trash, clothes, or other items that may burn too hot and ignite the flue.
- Practice fire safety and teach your children and family to do the same.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in your home, making sure to check batteries monthly.
- Make a fire escape plan with your family. Plan two ways out of every room if possible, and practice regularly with the entire family.
- If you experience a flue fire, make sure you do not use your chimney system until it has been assessed for safety.
After a house fire, you may be stressed, grieving, and possibly injured. Your home may not be safe to return to. It is our hope that you never have to experience this, but preserving life is the goal. You can do all you can to prevent a chimney fire, or a house fire, but it can occur anyway. During National Fire Prevention Week, plan an escape so that death and injury can be prevented in the event of a fire. Check out many family resources at www.firepreventionweek.org!
