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There is nothing like a cozy fire in winter. Be forewarned,
however, that the pleasures of a fire crackling in the fireplace
can quickly turn to tragedy, according to the Consumer Product Safety
Commission. Wood-burning appliances accounted for about 140,000
fires, 250 deaths and $257 million in property damage--20 percent
of all residential fires in the U.S. in 1982, the year research
was conducted.
CPSC research also indicates that most wood heating fires
involve the chimney. Creosote deposits or soot build up inside
the chimney, ignite, and start a secondary fire that spreads to
other parts of the house. But the hidden threat comes from fires
that are contained within the chimney. Homeowners may not even
be aware that a chimney fire has occurred and that the structural
integrity of the chimney has been compromised. A house fire
could result anytime from continued use of a damaged chimney,
warns the CPSC.
Now that the nation has entered the heating season, CPSC strongly
urges you, if you have a wood stove or fireplace, to check the
chimney for any damage that may have occurred in the past heating
season. A local chimney repairman, or chimney "sweep," can
inspect for damage and clean the chimney. Have any damage
repaired NOW.
Copyright © 1998, AHA, the American Homeowners
Association, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
All Rights Reserved
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