Keep home fireplaces safe for all

In the winter, a fire in the fireplace is a cozy reason to stay inside and get comfy, but those fires can also pose safety risks, reduce lung function, aggravate heart and lung diseases and trigger asthma.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the county’s Air Pollution Control District offer the following suggestions to protect the health and safety of local residents:

•Use a gas log. Never burn wood in a fireplace designed for a gas log.

•If burning wood, use dry, seasoned wood. Look for wood that is darker, has cracks in the end grain and sounds hollow when hit against another piece of wood. Never burn painted or treated wood. Build smaller fires rather than large, smoldering ones. “Roaring” fires can start chimney fires and lead to overheating of wall or roof.

•Don’t burn trash. This could release poisonous chemicals, fumes or toxic gases into the air. Burning coal or charcoal could cause a build up of carbon monoxide. Flying paper embers could ignite the roof.

•Clean the chimney. A dirty chimney full of creosote is a chimney fire waiting to happen. Schedule regular maintenance by a chimney sweep. Do not use the fireplace if it has loose bricks or needs to be cleaned.

•Do not treat artificial logs the same as real logs. Artificial logs are usually made of sawdust and wax and have special burning properties. Follow package directions carefully. Use one log at a time and do not add to a natural wood fire that is already burning. Do not poke an artificial log.

•Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel to light or relight a fire—the vapors can explode. Do not keep any flammable fuels near a fire. Vapors can travel the length of the room and explode.

•Keep children away from the fire. Warn children about the danger of fire, never let them play with fire and make sure they know the “stop-drop-roll” drill learned in school.

•Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

•Have basic fire safety equipment on hand. Keep a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace. Install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening to catch rolling logs or flying sparks. Arrange andirons so logs can’t roll out. Equip the home with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other fire-warning devices. Have a spark arrester on the top of the chimney to keep sparks off the roof. Repair cracks in flue lining, bricks and mortar.

•Be sure no flammable materials hang down from the mantel. A spark from the fireplace could ignite these materials and cause a fire. Keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.

•Never close the damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. This could help the ashes build up heat, causing the fire to flare up and ignite the room. Open the damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes have cooled. Keep the damper set so the air flow will remove all smoke and gases while the fire is burning—too much air flow might let the fire get out of control.

•Make sure there is good ventilation. In tightly sealed homes, fireplace fires can suck poisonous carbon monoxide fumes from heaters. Smoke and harmful particles can also build up indoors; opening a window will help.

•Save the fireplace or woodstove for special occasions. They are not the most efficient way to heat the home. Use the central heating system, the safest and cleanest method.

•Be sure all ashes have cooled before disposing of them. Put ashes in a lidded metal container and store it outdoors on a solid concrete or asphalt surface away from structures. Add water and stir it into the ashes if possible. Never use plastic or paper bags or cardboard boxes to carry ashes. After the ashes are out and cold, they make good fertilizer in gardens and flower beds.

For more information, visit www.ourair.org.