Safely Enjoy the Warmth of Your Home During Cold Months

Safely enjoy the warmth of your home during cold months

November 2024 Newsletter | Kenneth Bargers

Prepare and Inspect the Chimney Before the First Fire

Fall chimney maintenance and proper cleaning are key steps to keeping your family safe and warm as the temperatures drop. Neglected chimneys accumulate creosote, a combustible byproduct of charred wood, along their walls. Add to that a high internal flue temperature and you've got a potentially dangerous chimney fire on your hands. The best way to avoid a house fire caused by the fireplace or chimney is to hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect for cracks and loose bricks. He'll also clean your chimney.

Once your chimney gets the all-clear, you should follow some basic safety tactics when it comes to your chimney and the vicinity of the fireplace or wood stove:

Keep the area in front of the fireplace clear of paper and debris. It can be tempting during the holidays to place decorations close to the fireplace but keep them at a safe distance.

If your fireplace doesn't have a glass door, use a wire mesh screen.

Use seasoned hardwoods that have been split for six months to a year. "Green" wood creates more creosote. Don't burn your Christmas tree (pine creates more creosote) or be tempted to throw wrapping paper, boxes, or trash into the fireplace.

Keep the area near the chimney clear. If you have trees that hang over the house near the chimney, make sure branches and leaves are at least 15 feet away.

Cap your chimney. A top that has wire mesh along the sides will keep out rain and snow, birds, and other critters that might be running around on the roof.

Think small. If you try to burn too much wood, the chimney can crack, and you run the risk of creosote build-up. Burn wood on a grate placed near the back of the fireplace.

View Chimney Safety Institute of America

Prep the Home for Cold Weather

Protect Your Pipes | Drain water from outdoor faucets; store outdoor hoses; cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators; Protect basement/crawl/garage water pipes with insulation

Check the Heat | turn on the heat - is blower functioning; change your furnace filter; consider installing a programmable thermostat to save money; reverse the direction of your ceiling fans

Prevent Ice Dams | clean clogged gutters and downspout; seal places that may allow warm air to leak from your home to your attic; Be sure soffit vents are open and clean

Clean and Store Lawn Equipment | empty all fuels; clean the machine of oil and yard debris; sharpen the blades

Inspect the Fireplace and Chimney | a chimney sweep inspection can clean and make sure your chimney is critter-free; install glass fireplace doors or a chimney inflatable that blocks cold air from coming down the chimney and keeps in warm air

Seal Windows and Doors | caulk around windows; install weather stripping around doors as needed; consider adding storm windows and doors - remove, wash and store screens for the spring

Stock Up on Cold-weather Essentials | prep an emergency kit ready; have a fully charged fire extinguisher; an alternative heat source such as a generator, wood-burning stove, or fireplace; sand, ice melt, and a shovel; develop a plan for communicating/meeting up with family in case winter storm hits

Nashville Electric Service Energy Saving Tips

Piedmont Gas Tennessee Cold Weather Tips for Your Home

Protect Yourself Against Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (the Invisible Killer) is a colorless, odorless gas that can result as a byproduct of incomplete burning of natural gas or other fossil fuels.

• Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector

• Make sure all gas appliances are installed correctly and checked annually

• Have chimneys cleaned and checked every year for obstructions

• Don’t use outdoor appliances or equipment indoors for space heating or cooking

View U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention