In order to promote a clean burning fire and reduce the risk of flue fires the Lebanon Fire District offers chimney brushes that you can borrow, free of charge, to clean your own chimney.  All you have to know is the exact measurements of your chimney (many people are unaware that there are many different sizes and shapes of chimney liners, so this first step is critical) and its approximate height.  Come down to the main fire station located at 1050W. Oak Street and check out the proper equipment at the front desk.  All we ask is that you use and return them in a timely manner (24 hours) so that they will be available for others to borrow.

Please remember that your safety comes first and working on a roof or ladder can be very dangerous.  We urge you to take proper safety precautions and if you are not able to clean your own chimney in a safe manner we recommend you hire a professional chimney sweep to do the job.

Some tips for avoiding chimney fires;

1)      Wood:  Burn only seasoned dry wood.  Green damp wood contributes to cooler fire temperatures that increase creosote.

2)      Air Supply: The air supply on fireplaces may be restricted by closed glass doors or by failure to open the damper wide enough to move heated smoke up the chimney rapidly (the longer the smoke's "residence time" in the flue, the more likely it is that creosote will form). A wood stove's air supply can be limited by closing down the stove damper or air inlets too soon and too much, and by improperly using the stovepipe damper to restrict air movement.

3)      Cool Flue Temperatures: In the case of wood stoves, fully-packed loads of wood (that give large cool fires and eight or 10 hour burn times) contribute to creosote buildup. Condensation of the unburned by-products of combustion also occurs more rapidly in an exterior chimney, for example, than in a chimney that runs through the center of a house and exposes only the upper reaches of the flue to the elements.

In the case of a flue fire;

1)      Never ever put water into the chimney, this can cause cracks to form in the lining of the flue and lead to a house fire.

2)      Close down the air intake into the stove or fireplace, this deprives the fire of oxygen and will help cool and extinguish the fire.

3)      Call the fire department.

4)      Have your flue examined by a professional before using it again.