OTTUMWA, IOWA -- As the temperature keeps dropping, many people in the Heartland are cozying up with a blanket and hot chocolate in hand next to their fireplaces.
According the US Fire Administration, heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year, which include fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances.
You can alleviate the chance of a fire happening by having your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
You want to protect the outside of your home, as well; stack fire wood at least 30 feet away from your house in a dry play where it won’t collect moisture.
“You want to make sure you have a good screen on the front of it or a glass enclosure, something that will keep the embers from sparking. I know there have been several, a few fires, from the sparks coming out of the fire box. If there's cracks or chips or a missing mortar in the stack you can get fires in the attic that way and also outside the house,” said Capt. Bryan Carnahan, Ottumwa Fire Dept.
For more tips, click here.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO