pfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp aligncenter classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-align center line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12pt PRESS RELEASEopopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp aligncenter classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt text-align center line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptopnbspopspanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptRecognizing that wood stoves and fireplaces are a common heat source in homes the spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptNew Canaan Firefighters are concerned of the increased threat of an unintended fire as spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptoutdoor temperatures drop. While there are several ways that a stove or fireplace may cause a fire experience in Shelton and throughout Connecticut demonstrates that fires resulting from improper disposal of ashes and lack of chimney cleaning are among the most common. Serious fire damage has resulted when homeowners have disposed of ashes in plastic or cardboard containers boxes and bags. Creosote build-up in chimneys which is the result of incomplete combustion has also led to many fires. Both fire causes are very easily preventable. For example use of a tightly covered metal container for removal of ashes that is kept outdoors a safe distance from the house or any combustible structure can prevent a fire and save lives.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonebspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptBefore Useopopspanbppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptHave the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary by a professional. Even with spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptburning proper wood creosote can build up over time.spanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptWood stoves should be of good quality solid construction and design. Purchase wood spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptstoves evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptUL.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptBe sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptclearance 36 inches from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptUse fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptInstall a stovepipe thermometer to help monitor flue temperatures.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonebspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptSafe Useopopspanbppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptPrevent the build-up of creosote within chimney flue by properly seasoned wood. Do not spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptburn ldquogreenrdquo wood.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptDonrsquot build roaring fires in fireplaces. Keep fires small. It is possible to ignite creosote in spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptthe chimney by overbuilding the fire.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptA stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptcreosote buildup.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptDo not burn paper or trash within a stove or fireplace. Flaming paper will rise with the spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptsmoke and can ignite creosote build-up or roofing materials.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptDo not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.spanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptIf synthetic logs are used follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptlog apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptreleasing higher levels of carbon monoxide. Do not burn synthetic logs within stoves.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptNever burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptmonoxide.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptAlways use a metal mesh screen in front of the fireplace opening to prevent embers or spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptsparks from jumping out unwanted material from going in and help prevent the possibility spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptof burns to occupants.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptLeave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptreceives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptthe chimney. Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptfrom getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptshould be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptKeep air inlets on wood stoves open and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptyou may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.spanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptKeep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptcould easily ignite these materials. Clear the area around the hearth of debris decorations spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptand materials that can burn.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonebspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptAfter Useopopspanbppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptAllow ashes to cool completely before disposing. Store removed ashes in a tightly covered spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptmetal container and locate outdoors a safe distance from the house or any combustible spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptstructure. DO NOT place ashes in boxes bags or containers. Never store ashes on a wood spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptdeck within a garage or anywhere near the house.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontpp classMsoNormal stylemargin 0in 0in 0pt line-height normal -ms-text-autospace mso-layout-grid-align nonespan stylecolor black font-family SymbolMT font-size 12pt mso-bidi-font-family SymbolMTbull spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptBefore you go to sleep be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with spanspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12pthot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontspan stylecolor black font-family quotTimes New Romanquotquotserifquot font-size 12ptFinally as in every season have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call ldquo911rdquo for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.opopspanppfont faceTimes New Roman size3 fontp
