Home Heating and Chimney Safety

Wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves and pellet appliances require regular maintenance and careful operation.

Burn safely

Use clean, dry, seasoned firewood and operate your appliance according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Wet or unseasoned wood can create more smoke and contribute to creosote buildup.

Do not burn:

• Garbage or household waste
• Plastics
• Painted, stained or treated wood
• Plywood, particle board or other manufactured wood products
• Salty driftwood
• Materials not intended for use in your appliance

Never use gasoline, camp fuel or other flammable liquids to start or rekindle a fire.

For pellet appliances, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer.

Keep the area around your appliance safe

Keep anything that can burn at least one metre away from fireplaces, wood stoves and other heating equipment, unless the manufacturer specifies a greater clearance.

This includes:

• Furniture
• Curtains
• Newspapers and paper products
• Clothing and blankets
• Decorations
• Firewood

Use an appropriate fireplace screen or glass doors to help contain sparks and embers.

Keep children and pets a safe distance from hot appliances, and never dry clothing or store combustible materials on or near a wood stove.

When leaving home or going to bed

Make sure an open fireplace fire is fully extinguished before leaving home or going to bed.

For wood stoves, pellet appliances or other equipment designed for extended operation, follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe use.

Burning wood creates creosote, a combustible residue that can accumulate inside a chimney or flue. If enough creosote builds up and ignites, it can result in a dangerous chimney fire.

Have your chimney and wood-burning system inspected regularly and cleaned when needed. Keeping in mind that fuel-burning appliances should be professionally inspected at least annually or according to manufacturer instructions, and it recommends annual cleaning of a wood-burning fireplace chimney. A qualified professional can identify:

• Creosote buildup
• Damaged chimney liners
• Loose or damaged connections
• Obstructions in the chimney or venting system
• Other conditions that may create a fire or carbon monoxide hazard.

Never use a chimney or heating appliance that you know or suspect is damaged.

Signs of a chimney fire

Possible signs include:

• A loud roaring, rumbling or cracking sound from the chimney
• Unusually dense smoke
• Sparks or flames coming from the top of the chimney
• A strong or intense burning smell
• Unusually high temperatures around the chimney or appliance

Some chimney fires may not be immediately obvious, which is another reason regular inspection and maintenance are important.

If you suspect a chimney fire

1. Get everyone out of the home immediately.
2. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.
3. Do not re-enter until firefighters advise that it is safe.
4. Do not use the fireplace or heating appliance again until it has been professionally inspected.

Even if a chimney fire appears to have gone out, heat or fire may have spread into concealed areas of the building.

Natural gas, propane and oil furnaces, boilers, fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances require proper installation, ventilation and regular maintenance.

To use these systems safely:

• Have appliances inspected and serviced by a qualified professional according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Keep furnace rooms and areas around heating equipment free of clutter and combustible materials.
• Change or clean furnace filters as recommended.
• Keep air intakes, exhaust vents and other ventilation openings clear.
• Check outdoor vents regularly during winter to make sure they have not been blocked by leaves, debris, snow or ice.
• Never block or alter appliance ventilation or safety features.
• If an appliance is not operating normally, stop using it and have it inspected.

Work involving regulated gas equipment should be completed by an appropriately licensed contractor.

Because fuel-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide, homes with these systems should have working carbon monoxide alarms.

Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling and do not produce carbon monoxide through combustion. Like any heating system, they still require routine maintenance and adequate airflow to operate properly.

To care for your heat pump:

• Follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.
• Clean or replace filters at the recommended intervals.
• Keep furniture, curtains and other objects from blocking indoor units or air returns.
• Keep outdoor units clear of leaves, vegetation, snow and other debris.
• Do not cover the outdoor unit unless specifically directed by the manufacturer.
• Watch for unusual noises, reduced airflow, leaking or other changes in operation and arrange servicing if needed.
• Have the system professionally serviced as recommended by the manufacturer or installer.

Keep the area around both indoor and outdoor components accessible so they can operate and be serviced safely.

Electric baseboard and wall heaters can become hot enough to ignite nearby combustible materials.

To use them safely:

• Keep furniture, curtains, bedding, clothing and other combustible materials away from heaters.
• Do not allow electrical cords to rest on or run across heaters.
• Do not place furniture directly against a heater where it may restrict airflow.
• Never use a heater to dry clothing, towels or other items.
• Keep heaters clean and free of accumulated dust and debris.
• Do not use a heater that appears damaged or is not operating properly.
• Follow the manufacturer's required clearances.

Make sure children understand that heaters can become very hot, and supervise young children and pets around heating equipment.

Portable electric heaters can provide supplemental warmth but can create a significant fire hazard if used improperly.

When using a portable heater:

• Keep it at least one metre away from combustible materials such as furniture, bedding, curtains and clothing.
• Place it on a stable surface where it cannot easily be knocked over.
• Plug it directly into an appropriate wall outlet.
• Do not use an extension cord or power bar.
• Keep the heater away from water.
• Check the cord and plug for signs of damage before use.
• Do not place anything on top of the heater or obstruct its airflow.
• Unplug the heater when leaving home or going to sleep.
• Follow all manufacturer instructions.

Never use a portable heater with a damaged cord, plug or casing.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms provide critical early warning during an emergency.

Smoke alarms

Install smoke alarms:

• Inside each bedroom
• Outside sleeping areas
• On every level of the home, including the basement

Test smoke alarms every month and maintain and replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Smoke alarms generally need to be replaced when they reach 10 years of age.

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas produced when fuels such as wood, pellets, natural gas, propane, oil or gasoline are burned.

Homes with fuel-burning appliances should have working carbon monoxide alarms.

At minimum, CO alarms should be located where they can provide warning to people in sleeping areas. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for placement, testing and replacement.

If you need assistance with smoke alarms, contact Sooke Fire Rescue at 250-642-5422.

Ashes can remain hot enough to start a fire long after they appear to have cooled.

When removing ashes:

• Use a metal shovel.
• Place ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Store the container outdoors on a non-combustible surface.
• Keep the container well away from your home, deck, fence, firewood, vegetation and other combustible materials.
• Allow ashes to cool completely before final disposal.

Never place hot or warm ashes in garbage, recycling or compost containers, cardboard boxes, paper bags or plastic containers.

Power outages can increase the risk of fire and carbon monoxide exposure when alternative heating or power sources are used.

During an outage:

• Never use a barbecue, camping stove or other outdoor fuel-burning appliance inside your home, garage or shed.
• Never use an oven or cooking appliance to heat your home.
• Never operate a fuel-powered generator indoors or inside a garage or shed.
• Operate generators outdoors at least six metres (20 feet) from a home or other building, with exhaust directed away from doors, windows and air intakes.
• Never connect a portable generator directly to household wiring unless an approved transfer system has been professionally installed.
• Use flashlights or battery-powered lighting rather than candles whenever possible.
• Continue to use working carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

Only use heating equipment indoors if it is specifically designed and approved for indoor use, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Whatever type of heating system you use:

• Keep combustible materials away from heat sources.
• Follow the manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions.
• Do not use damaged heating equipment.
• Never bypass safety controls or modify heating equipment yourself.
• Keep children and pets away from hot appliances.
• Make sure vents, air returns and exhaust outlets remain clear.
• Have problems with fuel-burning appliances assessed by a qualified professional.
• Make sure everyone in your household knows what smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sound like and what to do when they activate.