With colder weather settling in, many residents are firing up their wood stoves and fireplaces to keep warm. The Municipality of Huron Shores Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of chimney maintenance and safe burning practices to help prevent chimney fires and keep your home and family safe!

🧹 Clean Your Chimney! Have your chimney inspected annually by a qualified professional and cleaned as needed. Creosote buildup is a leading cause of chimney fires.

🔥 Burn Smart! Use only dry, seasoned firewood. Avoid burning garbage, treated wood, cardboard, or other materials that can produce harmful fumes or increase creosote buildup.

🪵 Don’t Overload Your Stove! Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid overfiring your wood stove or fireplace.

🚨 Check Your Alarms! Make sure working smoke alarms are installed on every storey of your home and outside sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide alarms are now required on every storey of homes with fuel-burning appliances (furnace, water heater, gas or wood fireplace, portable heater, generator, stove, or BBQ), fireplaces, or attached garages, as well as adjacent to sleeping areas. Test your alarms regularly to ensure they are working properly.

🏡 Keep a Safe Distance! Keep furniture, firewood, decorations, and other combustible materials away from wood stoves and fireplaces. Always use a proper fireplace screen.

🌙 Before You Head to Bed! If you rely on a wood stove to keep your home warm overnight, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe overnight operation. Avoid overloading your stove, ensure the door is securely closed, and never leave an open fireplace fire unattended.

🕯️ Practice Candle Safety! Never leave burning candles unattended, and always extinguish them before leaving a room or going to bed. Keep candles away from curtains, decorations, and other flammable materials, and ensure they are placed on sturdy, heat-resistant surfaces. Consider using battery-operated candles as a safer alternative!

🪣 Dispose of Ashes Safely! Place cooled ashes in a covered metal container and store it outdoors, away from buildings and combustible materials. Ashes can remain hot for several days!

❤️ Fire Prevention Starts at Home!

As we head into the colder months, it’s important to remember that heating equipment requires regular maintenance and proper use to operate safely. Chimney fires can happen without warning, and many are preventable with routine inspections, cleaning, and responsible burning practices.

The Huron Shores Fire Department encourages all residents to take a few extra precautions this heating season. From maintaining your chimney and safely operating your wood stove to checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and practising candle safety, small preventative measures can make a big difference in protecting your home and loved ones.

Stay warm, burn safely, and help keep Huron Shores fire safe this winter! 🚒

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