THOUSAND OAKS : Brochure Highlights Fireplace Safety

Concerned that residents might get burned if they welcome winter with roaring fires, the Thousand Oaks Building and Safety Department has compiled a fireplace safety brochure.

The pamphlet, available at City Hall and in the Thousand Oaks Library, explains how to operate a metal fireplace safely, from opening the fire screen to warming the flue and disposing of ash. It also warns residents not to use plywood or artificial logs in metal fireplaces because they produce particularly high temperatures.

Finally, the brochure urges residents to have their chimneys inspected at least twice a year, to reduce the risk of a dangerous fire.

“It’s very important for people to read it and be aware of fire safety,” Councilman Frank Schillo said. “You can go to bed, leave the fire on and suffocate. We have had some serious problems with fireplaces in this community, and it could be a life-or-death situation.”