Guest Column Time for yearly chimney and smoke detector inspection

— The holidays are coming and fast. We at the Pea Ridge Fire Department hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We would like to remind everyone what time of year it is. Not only is it a time to enjoy good food and fun with families and friends, but it is also time for keeping your home safe.

As always, batteries in yoursmoke detector should be replaced when you change you clocks (Nov. 1). If you haven't already done so, please make sure the batteries in all of yoursmoke detectors are new. Also, check out the smoke detector itself. Smoke detectors can become dusty or otherwise malfunction over time. The average smoke detector should be changed every three to five years (per manufactures recommendations).

Also, cold weather is heading our way. If you have a wood burning chimney, thinkabout the last time it was cleaned and inspected. We highly recommend having a professional chimney sweep company inspect your chimney once a year, and clean as needed. Chimney sweeps are for integrity purposes, cleaning and obstruction free assurance. Creosote, also known as soot, is a natural byproduct of burning wood. As the smokegoes up your fireplace chimney, creosote clings to the inner walls of your chimney.

Creosote is highly flammable and causes chimney fires. An annual chimney sweep with inspection helps to provide safe continuous use as recommended by Code 211 of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). Cleaning intervals are based on usage.

The more wood burned, the more creosote accumulation within. It is also recommended to sweep your wood-burning chimney after every face chord of wood burned.

If you have any questions, please call us here at the Pea Ridge Fire Department anytime. For non-emergencies, call 451-1111. And of course, with any emergency, call 911.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 12/02/2009