In these few weeks before the May long weekend, plans for opening the cottage are getting underway.  As with every year, that first weekend of work up North can be a chilly one and most of us will be looking forward to getting a fire going.  Before that can happen however, it is important to make sure that your woodstove is in safe, working order and that you and your family are familiar with woodstove safety.

For your reference, we here at Cade have put together a list of some helpful information with respect to your woodstove so that you can be sure that you and your family have a safe and warm summer!

• Have your chimney cleaned at least once a year.  Depending on how frequently you use your woodstove (for example, are you using it just on chilly nights at your seasonal cottage or is it being used year-round), it might be a good idea to consider having your chimney cleaned twice a year.

• If you’ve just purchased your cottage property and do not know when the woodstove was last cleaned, be sure to have a professional come and inspect the chimney before you begin to use it.

• Before starting up that inaugural fire, inspect the woodstove’s chimney stack for damage.   Harsh winters such as this past one can affect the stability of the chimney which can lead to an unsafe woodstove.  Take the time to closely inspect the support straps in order to confirm that the chimney is straight and obstacle-free.  Replace any damaged materials and check the cap and screen to ensure that no critters decided to make your chimney their winter home.

• Keep a fully charged Class A fire extinguisher on hand and be sure to test all of the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the cottage.

• Go over fire safety rules with your family.  Make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguisher is and what to do in case of an uncontrolled fire.

• Use properly dried hardwoods such as maple, beech, ash, hickory, or oak as the fuel for your woodstove’s fire.

• Do not use gasoline, charcoal starter fluid, or other flammable liquids to start your fire.

• Don’t let ashes build up in your woodstove.  A large buildup of ashes can eventually block the air intake from the draft registers and reduce the efficiency of your woodstove.

• For the extra ashes, have a metal container nearby and let them cool completely before disposing of them.

• Store wood and other flammable objects safely away from your wood-burning appliance in order to reduce the risk of fire.

Even if you take all of the above precautions, over time, burning wood leads to the buildup of Creosote.  Creosote can take the form of a sticky liquid, a flaky, black deposit, or a hard tar-like substance.  It is a highly combustible and unsafe material which, if left untended, can lead to a chimney fire.  The only line of defense against this byproduct is regular woodstove maintenance and cleaning.

By ensuring that you have your wood burning stove inspected by a WETT certified professional, you will gain piece of mind knowing that your woodstove is in optimal working order, is in good structural condition, and that it is burning in a way that complies with WETT standards and therefore does not compromise your and your family’s health and safety.

To all of you heading up North in the coming weeks, we here at Cade want to wish you a productive and pain free opening weekend.

Here’s to evenings around a safe and warm crackling fire!

The post Staying Safe & Warm: Tips and Information for Woodstove Safety appeared first on Cade Associates Insurance Brokers Limited.

1. Woodstoves & Fireplaces
Opening weekend can be chilly! Before you fire up your wood stove or fireplace, make sure to follow these important steps

• Inspect your chimney and flue to ensure that all coverings have been removed and no blockages have built up over the winter
• Ensure your fire extinguisher is fully charged and nearby, and that your tools for handling fires, such as pokers and fireproof gloves, are close at hand
• Check all visible parts of your stovepipe and inspect for any signs of shifting, rust, or other deterioration
• Light a very small, controlled fire and test the flow of smoke through the chimney

Over time, burning wood causes a build-up of creosote in your chimney or stove pipe. Creosote is a highly combustible substance that, if left untended, can lead to a chimney fire. Be sure to have your chimney cleaned once every year or two to ensure the ongoing safety of your heating apparatus.

2. Eavestroughs and Water Flow

• Build-up of debris on your roof over the winter can lead to packed eavestroughs and other areas that assist with moving the flow of water away from your home.
• Be sure to clear out the eaves and remove any obstacles that may prevent water from safely flowing away from your home

3. Trees and Brush

• Any fallen branches and brush that has accumulated near the cottage should be cleared away
• If any trees are looking especially suspect for potential falls in the future, it may be time to have an arborist in to inspect the tree and advise on the best way to bring it down safely

4. Septic System

• Septic systems are less likely to cause back-up into your cottage than a municipal system. Regardless, it is important to have your septic system pumped and checked out every 2-3 years. Not only does this minimize potential future loss, but is also an important element of the management of your waterfront property and the impact of your cottage on the natural balance of the environment.

5. The Drive

• Opening weekends usually mean long hours of driving with cars full of people and cargo. Always exercise your best and safest driving practices. Be sure not to overload your car and to minimize distractions in the vehicle. If you are hooking up a trailer, be sure that the trailer lights are in full working order and that you are well aware of blind spots. As always, no texting and driving!

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