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Fireplace and Chimney Safety with Harley McGuire

SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist, Harley McGuire loves being warmed by a cozy fireplace on a cold winters night

SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist Harley McGuire loves warming up next to the fireplace on a cold winters night.

Sedona AZ (December 7, 2014) In the words of the great sage, Harley McGuire, SedonaEye.com Star Four Paws Up Pet Columnist, fireplace weather has arrived. To some, there is nothing better than warming up next to a fire. It becomes the center of the home, a gathering place, and brings in the holiday spirit. But is your fireplace ready for family and company?

Harley McGuire asks that everybody makes sure their fireplace is safe and that it is being used properly!

“Put it on your checkin’ it twice list!” asks Harley. “Mom and me gathered some helpful information for my Four Paws Up Pals families ’bout fireplace safety. Read on!”

Please take time to read these tips to keep your home and family safe throughout the winter. Most of the simple inspections and cleaning can be done by the average home owner, however, if you have any doubts, contact your local fireplace installer or a professional chimney sweep.

Wood-burning

Have the chimney cleaned before starting your wood-burning fireplace, stove, or insert. The leading cause of fires from wood-burning appliances is the result of creosote (unburned fuel) that has accumulated in the chimney.

Have any gasket material inspected and replaced as required, such as the gasket sealing the door, the door glass, and, in some instances, the ash dump. If an airtight appliance is operated without gaskets effectively sealing openings, excess air can leak into the firebox, creating an over fire condition, which may permanently damage the appliance.

If your wood-burning appliance has a blower, clean it. Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower.

The family fireplace must be well maintained for Santa's safety!

This family fireplace is well maintained for Santa’s visit!

Replace any broken or deteriorated brick lining in the wood burning appliance. While cracks in the lining are not a concern, if the brick lining is deteriorated to the point that the steel body is exposed, the heat from the fire can cause permanent damage to the appliance.

Replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to insure these defense monitors are operating properly. Often the local fire department has a program that will inspect and replace alarm batteries – ask them today!

Gas-burning

Have a qualified technician service the appliance, including having the airways of both the pilot and main burners cleaned to ensure they are operating correctly.

If your gas burning appliance has a blower, clean it. Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower. As the dust accumulates on the blower blades, the balance of the blower will change, causing premature wearing of the bearings. The dust also insulates the motor; preventing it from being cooled, and can eventually cause the motor to fail.

Replace the batteries in any optional remote transmitters and, in some cases, in the receiver as well. Even when not in use, the power held in a battery is slowly depleted.

Replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to insure these defense monitors are operating properly.

Harley McGuire Four Paws Up Pal, Cody, gets a Shout Out this week

Here’s a Shout Out to Harley McGuire Four Paws Up Pal, Cody

Almost thirty years ago, SedonaEye.com subscriber A. W. Hallman lost a home to fire. An abandoned bird’s nest in the fireplace chimney eventually became hot enough to burst into flame, then, it floated up and out onto the historic home’s cedar shake roof. The fire company arrived to battle a fire that would destroy the family’s three story 100 year old home.

To this day, A.W. remains grateful for the good Samaritan who spotted the roof on fire, and warned the unaware family inside.

“A chimney sweep was scheduled for the following week. Never again will anyone in our family lay a fire in a fireplace before it is professionally inspected each year. By sharing our story, we believe Harley McGuire’s readers will be inspired to “check the chimney twice” and or hire a professional. And thanks, Harley McGuire, for caring!”

 

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

7 Comments

  1. Oh Gus & Dingo & Miracle, I say “Hi” right back at ya’ll. Would love to say “be cool” but this ain’t the time of year for that! We love our fireplaces!

    Harley McGuire

  2. chip"n dale says:

    Thank you for this info. Generally we just like to lay in front of the gas burning fireplace and enjoy, leaving mom to take care of the particulars.

    Ho..ho..ho..hugs and hisses

    C’ & D

  3. Sobe says:

    My thanks to You Harley for pointing out this most important project of cleaning the chimney. Being a Border Collie I have had this on My list for two months for Mom to do, and remind Her daily. But She’s been really busy with My big sister Cassy who has cancer and thought it would be okay to not clean it this year. Well a word from You sent Her scrambling to the roof top with brush, poles and flashlight. Just goes to show Who’s the top dog.

    It’s 36 degrees outside right now, and the three of Us are Safe and warm with the fire burning. Thanks Harley!!

  4. Oh, Sobe, my eyes are tearful from the news about Cassy. But guess the upside to your story is ’bout the fireplace. Keep those home fires burning safely, my friend.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

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