When cold air settles into the valleys around Bristol and the Mountain Empire, many families light a wood stove, build a fire or switch on a space heater. Heating equipment is part of what makes mountain homes so comfortable in winter, but it is also one of the leading causes of home fires across the country. The good news is that most heating fires are preventable with simple maintenance, sensible habits and working alarms. This guide explains how to keep your home warm and safe from the first chilly night in autumn to the last frost in spring.
In this guide
- Prepare chimneys, stoves and fireplaces before winter
- Use space heaters and generators safely
- Place smoke and carbon monoxide alarms correctly
- Build a family escape plan that works
Start With a Chimney Inspection
Every chimney connected to a wood stove, fireplace or fuel burning furnace should be inspected each year before heating season begins. Burning wood leaves creosote, a sticky, flammable residue that builds up inside flues. A thick layer of creosote can ignite and cause a dangerous chimney fire. A certified chimney professional can clean the flue, check the liner for cracks and confirm that the chimney cap keeps out rain, birds and leaves.
Black flakes in the firebox, a strong smoky smell when the stove is cold or smoke that drifts into the room are all signs the chimney needs attention.
Wood Stove Safety
Wood stoves are popular throughout Southwest Virginia, and modern stoves burn cleaner and more efficiently than older models. Keep the area around the stove clear, maintaining the clearances to walls and furniture listed by the manufacturer. Place the stove on a non combustible hearth pad that extends beyond the door. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood, since wet wood smoulders, produces more creosote and heats poorly. Never use petrol or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
Fireplace Habits
Use a sturdy screen or glass doors to keep sparks and rolling logs inside the firebox. Keep rugs, blankets and holiday decorations away from the hearth. Never leave a fire burning when you go to bed or leave the house, and make sure children understand that the fireplace is off limits. Open the damper before lighting a fire and keep it open until the ashes are completely cold.
Handle Ashes With Care
Hot coals can stay alive for days. Shovel ashes into a metal container with a tight fitting metal lid and place it outdoors on a non combustible surface, well away from the house, deck, garage and woodpile. Never put ashes in a paper bag, cardboard box or plastic bin, and never store them on a wooden porch.
A warm home in winter should also be a safe one, and that starts long before the first fire is lit.
Space Heater Safety
Portable heaters are handy for chilly rooms, but they need space. Keep anything that can burn, including curtains, bedding, furniture and paper, well away from the heater. Choose models with automatic shut off if tipped over and overheat protection, and look for the mark of a recognised testing laboratory. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power strip, and switch them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Electrical Systems in Older Homes
Many homes in Bristol were built decades ago, and older wiring may not have been designed for modern electrical loads. Warm outlets, flickering lights, breakers that trip often or a burning smell are reasons to call a licensed electrician. Upgrading an outdated panel, adding circuits and installing arc fault protection can greatly reduce the risk of electrical fires, especially in winter when heaters, lights and appliances all run at once.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnected alarms are best, because when one sounds, they all sound, giving everyone more time to escape. Test alarms monthly and replace each unit at the age recommended by the manufacturer. Alarms with sealed long life batteries remove the need to change batteries every year.
Cooking is a leading cause of home fires all year. Keep a kitchen extinguisher within reach and never leave the stove unattended while cooking.
Carbon Monoxide Protection
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless gas produced by fuel burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces and gas ranges. Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level and near sleeping areas. Have fuel burning appliances serviced each year, keep vents and flues clear of snow and debris and never run a car, grill or generator inside a garage, even with the door open.
Generators During Winter Storms
Ice storms and heavy snow can bring down power lines across the region. If you use a portable generator, run it outdoors only, far from doors, windows and vents. Use heavy duty outdoor extension cords, and never connect a generator to your home's wiring without a properly installed transfer switch. A licensed electrician can install a transfer switch or a permanent standby generator safely.
Plan and Practise Your Escape
Draw a simple map of your home showing two ways out of every room and a meeting place outside. Make sure windows open easily and that everyone, including children and older relatives, knows how to get out. Practise the plan at least twice a year, including once at night. In a fire, get out, stay out and call for help from outside.
Keep Exits and Paths Clear
Snow, ice and clutter can block exits when you need them most. Keep hallways and stairways clear, shovel and salt steps and walkways and make sure exterior doors open freely. Outdoor lighting on steps and paths helps everyone move safely on dark winter evenings.
Store Firewood Safely
Stack firewood off the ground and at least several feet from the house to keep insects, moisture and fire risk away from your walls. Covering the top of the stack keeps wood dry while allowing air to circulate. Bring in only what you need for a day or two.
Fire Extinguishers at Home
Keep a multipurpose extinguisher in the kitchen, near the wood stove or fireplace, in the garage and on each level. Learn how to use it before you need it, and remember that extinguishers are for small fires only. If a fire is spreading, leave immediately and call for help.
After a Fire Scare
If you ever have a chimney fire, a smoking appliance or an electrical scare, have the system inspected before using it again. Hidden damage to flue liners, wiring or framing can create a greater danger the next time. A professional inspection gives you peace of mind and protects your family.
Help for Older Relatives
Older adults face a higher risk in home fires. If a parent or grandparent lives alone, check that their alarms work, that heaters are used safely and that their escape route is clear and well lit. Alarms with strobe lights or bed shakers are available for people with hearing loss.
Make Your Home Safer With Home Cares Pro
Home Cares Pro helps families across Bristol and the Mountain Empire prepare for heating season with interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrical upgrades, extinguisher placement and safety checks for stoves and fireplaces. Contact us to schedule a home fire safety visit before the cold sets in.