How to Prevent Increasingly Dangerous Chimney Fires in New York

I am a big fan of fireplaces. They add heat and a mood to a room. A cold winter night in front of the fire is extremely relaxing.

Fireplaces however can be a lot of work. Whether you have an actual fireplace or a wood-burning stove you must keep up with the maintenance. You also have to make sure you burn the right types of wood.

Hudson Valley Fire Department Take Chimney Fire Training

According to Soot Soldiers, fireplaces are a serious concern in the United States. The National Fire Protect Association (NFPA) reported 22,500 chimney fires in the United States in 2018 which resulted in $142 million in damages. Northeastern Chimney LLC reports the latest stats on Chimney fires at over 25,000 per year.

How to Prevent Chimney Fires

Most organizations agree that the most important way to prevent a chimney fire is to have your chimney cleaned and maintained regularly. Make sure to use dry seasoned wood. Your chimney must also have a proper cap. You can also find out more tips from your local fire department or by going to the National Fire Protection Association website nfpa.org.

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What To Do If You Suspect You Have A Chimney Fire

The first thing you do if you discover you have a chimney fire is call 911. Trying to put it out can be difficult and cause the fire to spread. There are various items on the market that you can have on hand to help but none of them are more qualified than your local fire department.

The second step is to get everyone out of the house. This is important in case the fire has already spread to other parts of the house before you notice it burning.

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Recently one of our Hudson Valley Fire Departments went through Chimney Fire Training. The Red Hook Fire Company, Inc. shared their training photos on social media.

The team learned about chimney chains which are used to clear a chimney.

They watched how the smoke from the fire changed as the fire grew.

They also use a thermal imaging camera to see the internal temperatures rise in the chimney.

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