"The Chief Speaks"
Thank-you to everyone who supported the
Casino Night Event, It was a huge success
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Looking for information on the H1N1 flu?
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm
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Are you ready for storm season?
http://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/media_updates/storm_season_09.html?WT.mc_id=c-09-11_outages
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2009-2010 SEASON
Call-outs for last ski season, Chimney Fires again.
The department always stresses how important it is to have your wood burning appliance chimneys cleaned. (see below)
All sorts of different things can become inserted or lodged into a chimney during the times of non use and burning wet wood and or garbage, plastic wrappers, foam egg cartons etc., can cause rapid build up of creosote and other flammable deposits.
Be safe, the expense of having the chimney cleaned professionally is a lot less than having to clean up if the fire department has to dump gallons of water down your chimney to extinguish a fire.
Puts a real damper on the weekend.
To prevent chimney fires and possible structural damage to your property,
please ensure your chimney is cleaned at least as often as listed below.
These recommendations are for a primary residence, seaonal residences should be done at least once per year.
If large quantities of creosote and soot are found when cleaning, increase the number of cleanings per year.
SOLID FUEL APPLIANCES:
Once per year for smokeless fuel and twice per year for coal
WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES:
Quarterly when in use
GAS APPLIANCES:
Once per year if designed for sweeping
OIL FIRED APPLIANCES:
Once per year
It is not sufficient to clean a chimney using a vacuum cleaner alone.
Ensure your chimney flue is inspected at regular intervals to prevent fire breaking out of the chimney.
Sparkguards can prevent a serious property fire.
If you haven't already done so, FIT A SMOKE ALARM - it could SAVE YOUR LIFE !
In the event of a chimney fire occurring Dial 9 1 1, clearly give your address and the problem and exit the building.
NOTE: It is best to evacuate the building and call from a neighbours.
If you have a conventional open fire, extinguish the fire by gently splashing water onto the fire, don't dump a large quantity of water on the fire, the idea is to create steam that will flow up the chimney and reduce the temperature. Dumping a pot of water on the fire will just put out the fire and not create the steam required. Good idea to wear oven mitts when performing this function to protect your hands and wrists from steam burns. Eye protection is a must.
If you have a solid fuel appliance, close down the ventilation as much as possible. Closing down the ventilation cuts off the oxygen required for the fire in the chimney to burn.
Move furniture & rugs away from the fireplace and remove any nearby ornaments. Blow back is alway a possibility.
Place a sparkguard in front of the fire. Stops material from the fire box blowing out into the room in the event of a blow back.
Feel the chimney breast in other rooms for signs of heat. The Fire Department will do this.
If a wall is becoming hot, move furniture away. If you experience this before the Fire Department arrives let the first firefighter you see know about it and the location.
Ensure that access to your attic or roof space is available for the Fire Service as they will want to thoroughly check this area for signs of possible fire spread. Chimney fires can spread to the rest of your property. Many of the chimney fires are close to the top of the chimney so the mortor and bricks or the steel chimney joints may be compromised in the attic areas.
REMEMBER ALWAYS call the Fire Department first if you have a chimney fire.
Calling a friend, neighbour or relative first delays the response time of the Fire Department and those may be the critical moments that save the structure.
9-1-1 is the fastest way to get the Fire Department there. We would rather you called and we find nothing than you called late and all we can save is the foundations.
For Your Own Safety Have it Swept
Obvious signs of a chimney fire
Other signs may be large amounts of sparks exiting the chimney or an almost invisible blue flame much like a propane torch
Fire Chief Marty McKinney
Hemlock Valley Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Hazard Recalls
1. Idea Village Recalls Wireless Light Switches Due to Fire Hazard (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10014.html)
2. Haunted House Screen Candle Holders Recalled by Coyne's & Co. Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Yankee Candle (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10016.html)
3. Coby Electronics Recalls Rechargeable Batteries Sold with Portable DVD/CD/MP3 Players Due to Fire Hazard - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10019.html
4. Sony Recalls Computer AC Adapters Due to Shock Hazard http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10027.html
5. Backpack Blowers Recalled by Homelite Due to Fire Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10037.html
6. Fire and Burn Hazards Prompt Recall of Gas Grills Sold at Lowe's Stores http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10043.html
7. Electrolux ICON(r) and Kenmore PRO(r) Gas Ranges Recalled Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10048.html
8. MTD Recalls Log Splitters Due to Amputation Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10062.html
9. JCPenney Recalls Cooks(r) Outdoor BBQ Grills Due to Fire Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10064.html
10. Children's Pajama Sets Recalled by Little Miss Matched Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10063.html
11. Pier 1 Imports Recalls Santa Tea Light Holders Due to Fire Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10111.html
12.Pier 1 Imports Recalls Glitter Tea Lights Due to Fire Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10112.html
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