Vermont offers resources for fireplace safety

MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Vermonters from Putney to Richford can go to their local public library and pick up a free moisture meter.

Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner than wet wood, saving both money and energy while making less smoke.

A moisture meter is a small, hand-held device that you can use to check if your firewood is dry before burning it. Firewood should be below 20% moisture content to burn cleanly.

Officials recommend splitting a piece of firewood and pressing the meter’s pins into the middle.

And by using one, you’ll also be helping out the environment, because during the winter, residental wood smoke is a main contributor to fine particle pollution – responsible for poor air quality days.

Vermont conservation officials say the meters are available on loan at 63 libraries across the state. The full list is on DEC’s website at the link here. They were made possible through a loan from the Departments of Libraries and Environmental Conservation.

Chimney cleanings recommended after Vergennes fire

Another tip while burning firewood is to make sure to schedule an annual chimney cleaning.

The Vergennes Fire Department said they responded to a reported chimney fire past 8:00 p.m. Sunday night, and cleaned out a home’s fireplace after seeing “high heat coming off the chimney cap.”

They said that by working both inside the house and on the roof, they managed to ensure the home was safe without any damage to it.

As temperatures keep getting colder and fireplaces see more use, Vermonters should make sure to keep safety in mind. More information is available on the Department of Public Safety website.