Hello Rolling Knolls Homeowners!

Here are some tips about fireplace safety to help keep everyone safe this holiday season!

Fire Department offers fireplace safety advice Wood-burning and gas fireplaces are designed to safely provide comfort, warmth and relaxation, but without proper precautions and maintenance they can pose a danger to residents. Before lighting the first fire of the season, the West Chester Fire Department offers this advice: Preventative Maintenance - Have the chimney inspected annually, and cleaned as necessary, by a professional chimney sweep to ensure it's clear of obstructions and creosote - Have a cap installed at the top of the chimney to avoid the possibility that debris or animals can block the chimney - Install both a smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure the batteries work - Keep a fire extinguisher on hand - Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of furniture, books, newspapers and other potentially flammable materials (three feet away is a good rule).  Lighting a Fire - Clear away ashes from previous fires - Build a safe fire - Open the damper - Use a fireplace grate - Keep glass doors open during the fire - Use fireplace tools to tend the fire - Always close the fire screen when in use  Using Common Sense - Never burn garbage, rolled newspapers, charcoal or plastic in the fireplace - Never use gasoline or any liquid accelerant to help start a fire - Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace - Never leave a fire unattended - Don't close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning - Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house - When cleaning the fireplace, store ashes in a non-combustible container with a tightly fitting lid and place the container away from the house   Follow These Tips When Using Fire Pits Before breaking out the fire pit this fall, there are a few important things to know about open burning.  Butler County is regulated by Hamilton County Environmental Services (HCES) with regard to "open burning". The HCES defines open burning as any kind of outdoor fire.  Most are prohibited in Ohio, although there are a few exceptions: cooking, heating tar, welding torches, and heating for warmth.   Residents building bonfires, camp fires, and/or using outdoor fireplace equipment must follow certain guidelines, whether they are being used for cooking, pleasure, religious ceremonies or recreation.  These fires must be fueled by clean firewood, natural gas, or an equivalent material.  The total area of the fire must be three feet or less in diameter and not more than two feet tall.  Fires cannot obstruct the visibility from road ways or railroad tracks, and burning is prohibited whenever there is an air pollution warning, alert or emergency in effect. Fires may not be used for waste disposal purposes, because burning yard waste, garbage or leaves can result in air-borne pollutants that may cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headache, loss of coordination and nausea.  The burning of a standing structure, such as a shed or abandoned building, is also prohibited, even if it is on private property. Any other kind of open burning requires a permit, applications for which can be obtained at the West Chester Fire Department, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Keep in mind that you are legally responsible for any fire you start—so remain present at the site at all times and have a means of putting out the fire nearby.  Even with a permit, fires must be extinguished if a complaint is made.