Firefighters encourage fireplace safety

Winter is fast approaching and soon residents throughout the town will be firing up their fireplace and enjoying the warmth and comfort it provides.

The Town of Amherst Fire Chiefs Association and the Town of Amherst Fire Inspectors Office are reminding residents that it is important to properly operate and maintain home fireplaces.

In the past month alone there have been two serious fires in the town that can be directly related to faulty fireplaces. The volunteer firefighters of Amherst are dedicated to protecting residents and families and offer the following safety guidelines:

• Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis by professionals who use wire brushes and high tech vacuum cleaners

• Check your flue regularly for any obstructions (squirrel or bird's nests, debris, etc.)

• Only burn seasoned hardwoods. Softwoods have a high content of creosote and resin. Remember, hardwood trees have leaves and softwood trees have needles.

• Never burn softwoods or building scraps (paneling, two-by-fours, paneling, plywood, treated lumber) because they may contain a high level of creosote and can give off harmful and even toxic gases.

• Install a spark shield/arrester on top of your chimney.

• Always use a fireplace screen or glass doors in front of the fireplace.

• Never dispose of fireplace ashes in plastic bags or cans. Always place them in metal cans with metal lids. Do not put any cans with ashes on a wooden deck or near paper or other combustibles. Ashes can still be hot even days after a fire last burned.

• It is important to remember that standard masonry fireplaces are not intended to be used as a primary source of heat. In some cases, residents have been over-using the fireplace and burning logs for extended periods. This causes serious overheating and can and has led to fires.

• Always keep a standard ABC fire extinguisher nearby and consider having special chimney fire extinguishers on hand.