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The Huron Expositor, 1982-10-06, Page 22THE HURON EXPOSITOR,' OOTOBHR'8, 1982 — A9 Fires ave i cre se• in Seaforth this year BY RON W ASSINK Fire prevention week. What do you contribute to this cause? Have- you check• ed that frayed wiring, clean- ed a dirty chimney or install-, ed fire extinguishers and smoke alarms in your home lately? The 24 -member volunteer Seaforth fire department has answered 43 fire calls this year from January to date. Chief Han Hak said the de ?art nie '( normally re- sponds to 45 calls per year. He noted the increase is due to approximately 10 chimney fires occurring from January til March. He said the cause of chimney fires is due to people being lax in maintenance. A chimney should be cleaned once a year. If you are burning wct wood, your chim• ney should be cleaned once per month, Chief Hak said damage is normally light, but a chimney fire can cause considerable problems, If the flue cracks. it has to be replaced." Chief Hak also thinks people arc not well informed about wood stoves and the operation of the stoves. "Years ago, wood provided a major source of heat and people were educated." Improper installation of the heating devices can also cause overheating, resulting in fire. -Fire losses to date for Seaforth are approximately $98,000. When asked about the dispatch system the local department uses, Chief Hak explained Seaforth Com- munity Hospital receives all fire related calls. "We have had no problems with im- proper directions. It's the best and most reliable sy- stem in Huron County.•' Curious spectators have caused problems in the past when following the fire veh- icles. Mr, Hak said the problem is now minimal with people being more careful and using common sense. He said the minimum distance the law requires be kept between a fire truck and a car or (ruck following it is 500 feet, The hazard comes when a mad or laneway is blocked by spectators' cars. Driver discretion is used when the fire truck ap• preaches a red traffic light. Mr. Hak said the fire truck only goes through a red light after stopping to check for traffic. "The police depart- ment has been helpful in assisting with the traffic.'• Speed limits are also follow• ed. Again, driver discretion prevails. In rural fires, Mr. Hak said neighbours of a fire victim have often been very helpful, ('pulling hose, moving hay, etc. We can't complain. Questioned about the lat- /out home • yode ramify • y'ouy ihislnest • FIRE +ma r, ymif Farr, HAIR?liS /J igi • • our Reallh If fire struck now, the replacement costs could be staggering Your Insurance coverage should be reviewed and updated—soon! INSURANCE CANNOT -.STOP FIRE ®. BUT IT CAN PAY LOSSES See us for full protection IM ET INSURANCE AGENT Seaforth 32 Main Street 527-0720 • est fire related death, he said a Seaforth resident died four years ago from smoke inha- lation. Injuries to department members have only been of a minor nature, "We do get spme bad colds." Although the Seaforth de- partment does not own res- ale equipment Mr. Hak is hopeful such equ4pment would be used by the de- partment by 1983. 1t would be of assistance in car accidents "and other related nrshaps. Fire prevention officers include the fire chief, de- puty•chief Tom Phillips, and captains, Jim Sills and Ron Broome. During fire preven- tion week, the officers give demonstrations and present filets at nursing homes and the hospital concerning the use of fire extinguishers. Information is also avail- able to the public concerning extinguishers and electrical matters. The local schools are visit- ed and fire drills are per- formed. Each school must have seven fire drills in a school year• During a drill, the officers time the speed of clearing a building and make sure proper procedures are followed, such as doors and windows being closed. Fire drills are also effect- ive in the home. Children should be taught necessary procedures, Be sure the i� M — 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 phone number of the fire your part in Fire Prevention department serving you is in Week. a good location, Better vet, Don't get burned by attach it to your phone. Do- fire. CARUL PEOPLE SAVE I17 SAFECO. ' Virtue is more than its own reward. Repon- sible people can ac- tually get the breaks they deserve on their insurance. If that sounds like you, your indepen- dent SAFECO agent may be able to offer you a great buy on insurance for your car, home, life and business. Talk to your Inde• pendent SAFECO agent soon, SAVE WITH Protect Your Family from FIRE Think about fire -- wherever you are -- Always check to see if you have proper fire insurance; if there's doubt, Come and see us today! e forth ins N ram roke s Reti 527-1610 Seaforth, Ontario I Donald G. Eaton Kenneth J. Cards® — s am m m um® l samil 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 With the Incre90in9 coats of alternate fuels, wgod Is becoming an ever -more, attractive source of heat It Is renewable, relatively clean, inexpensive and efficient it used properly Buying Wood There are numerous firewood dealers, The price they charge depends on the amount o1 wood, species, seasoning, geographic location and whether the wood Is delivered or not When buying wood understand: o wood ie generally sold by the cord (B' x 4• x 41 or for the consumer is sold In most locations as a "Face Cord' 14' x 8' • 12" or 18" or 24" deep) e the cord Includes the air space between logs. cords with larger logs contain substantially more than those o1 Min sticks e green wood can be expected to shook at least 8% *wood is often sold by weight If bought m this fashion, look for the drama, hence tightest, wood possible e flrewood can often be purchased as scraps home sawmill or other wood using bli&rrese at relatively .lower prices Storing Wood Where and how you store your wood will affect the value you get out of II Therelore • store the wood under cover In a wood shed, utility building, garage or under roofing to keep II dry and retain a high fuel value • leave 011 airspace between the wood arta any covering to Mow wood to 'breathe' and season properly • store the wood as near to the rouse as possible to minimize handing Burning Wood The heat denied from wood depends upon the concentration of 111 woody material. (21 resin. (3) ash. and 141 water Generally the he0vle54 woods such a9 Hickory, Oak, Apple and Maple veil have the highest heat value Lighter wood. such as pine, cedar willow and space while yielding about the same heat value per pound. glue less to the cord because of then reduced denseness Wood bums in three stages The efficiency 01 each nage Changes drastically . the fast Wase ,s the heating stage here the moisture is evaporated Irony the wood • Mrs heal does not wenn the slave or room • in to second stage. 500.4 100 wood breaks down Chemically and volatile gases are 8mmed • 50430% pi the woods neat value contained ,n these gases ,s (0,504 at irks. the most efficient stage • the Med stage is the Doming 01 charcoals at temperatures e.ceedrg 1,00 r 1 Akt., J M McDONALD LUMBER LTD. Brussels, Ontario Sees 970 Spae,ee Spun shies Eeee o1 Starting HMO Far, Hied E uy Hark, y+,+rFe No ^ No Nu Nu vuMany, Sparks Coelmp 05811180 80010 Ayt seem &rah Hard Medium 00,0 144000pn Few Few Few Moaarale Eaullem Good Esoellerx Good Pup Chan Medium , Ham, No , Pow EamlleM Co10rnvood Elm rias, Hood Easy Fa, Mod,W, Madura M00um a Moderole Few Men Good Good Poox Hmhxp,- 4s. Med.. .of e,' No Moderate Excellent Locust 0000.1 Mope Wird M000m 110,0 Hata No N0 Few Few S.calla0r" " Excellent Oak Pare Popie Soltow Ham, tae Eosy Ener Easy No Medium Medium , Few 004erote Moderate Excellent F.tPoe, Far SOruce,N0rwoy 5ycomole Medium Medium 108 700 Fa, Me0000 Many Few Pwr Good 1.1,0.ckllar8l w0inul Easy Medium 105, M00ium 1,,a Ny ' 0000/010 Few Good Good Wnpw Medur, 10,' No Mooe,0,0 Poo, `^ Characteristics of Wood There are two basic categories of wood softwoods and hardwoods. Softwoods are easy to Ignite and bum rapidly with a high hot flame However they bum quickly and require frequent attention Hardwoods are more difficult to ignite. bum slower with a shone flame but last longer and produce more coals Other charactensbcs, such as splitabllay, amount of smoke, and amount of sparks, are important aids to belong you to decide which type of wood to burn Below Is a listing of some common woods and he,, Characlenat1CS Creosote Wood never bums completely The smoke will contain a dark brown or black substance called creosote This flammable substance wall build up Fin the 810va pipe and chimney and possibly create a fire hazard To mamas mite creosote you Should • keep the tire burning al a maximum temperature Dense smoke from a amoldenng lire carnes the most �epi'yt • season virus firewood 10 the least wale Censegt4ation • mn,m,ze the ieng-fh o1 hoizontol stove pipe The cooler the surface the more creO901e W'I'ondenbe on it • clean your chimney and glove pipe regulany to minimize IIP lire hazard Fireplaces Masonry fireplaces sup0(0 radiant energy to bring gmcl comfort to a toll room However they are not very efficient heaters • volatile gases contain,ny most of the heal value escape up the chimney unburned • a0 used 10 sup0M the 'ue ,5 drawn from the room and mus' he replaced with cooler MA5de air • add,kcnal n001 mit'•.e a ,he Nye d.,ma • ,5 Ir.h ,sex,sex, •. ••n ne OW xr. To Improve a Fireplace's Efficiency'' • I,mr ,5,5x• %l0, e these un t8 circulate air from behind and out Into the room Through air ducts o a metal form can double the heat that reaches a room from a conventional lireplade • tubes or hollow grates are available that can be placed In the fireplace to provide additional heat • they circulate air out from the '0001ace using natural convection or tans Stoves There are literally thousands of manufacturers of wood stoves in the world What stove you decide to purchase should depend on p9 Intended use You must decided 9 oil be used. • for emergencies such as power tenures • as supplement 0001 b0r the men furnace or to use in one or Iwo ,0pm8 • for total heating of the entire house • c0Overaal10n and occasional use You must consider the total cost 01 installing a stove 50u may need to buy stove pipe hoof and wall protection and perhaps a chimney The total coal could run Into thousands of dollars. money poseby better spent on insulating and weather tightening your home Things to consider may be appearance style finish construction 1..100015 and vverglt Also there is durabrlry and ability to bum wood et5cienty to maximum heal Types of Stoves Box Stove .00. like 000SeuCt,On 511000,10d on legs • 001 05,,9909 with grate logs placed on a bed or sand ' • capable 01 handling large 411' I0g9 • available ,n anion? construction wan baffle, 0, warming 100.05 Parlor Stove . d0Vgne0 1 he11 one 'Qhs^ 0 • open ay:104m • mfr Ihm mos,,c 0011•,151 "'4J,aln'r•r.pP•.lt; •• Tel 887.377 Pot Belly Stove e uauaty made of cast Iron with emote designs a small firebox requires short logs e helaht allows long Mine pain Pot better burning Kitchen Stoves o con be used for Cooking aa well as heating *cast iron and many bum opal also ' wood must be short end spat laity small • Circulating Stoves o metal box encircles firebox e vents In top and bottom Mow natural currents t0 carry heat to the room e outer sletaoe doesn't get very hot allows for pincement close to combustible materials. o suited to Imating 8 large room' 00150, stow Combination Furnaces Perhaps you do not wish to purchase a wood stove. M alternate choice may be o combination furnaceThere are marry manufacturers today who make these modified dl or gas furnaces They hays a firebox built et for wood Mining as a supplement to the our They work yNh the present heating system of vow home. When tyre wood oro out. the cawentlonol system klcksln and continues to heat your hart* Al Busdali we know about wood We also tarty a wide range of stoves fireplaces and accessaoa When boning wood is what you wart, lull ask Mr Builders team of experts and we'l help you select the best way - I 1 ■.. PIONEER WOOD STOVES ® features: Solid ' 4" steel construction. 2 Secondary Burn System in- creases efficiency and keeps chimney cleaner. 3 Well designed removable buffle. 4 Hand fit double seal cast iron doors. 5 Ten year written uncondi- tional guarantee 6 Fans and screens available for all models 7 CSA approved (Qualifies for .c q/ Ppm erS >ltlNiity 1!Too 111111111111111111111i. ►AI S, Width 24 oil grants). itIVA yap$�� Do *Atli the � Operrt§ • Model 111 $445.00 II Model 1V hrat0 up to uNi. tl Fireplace Insert 1,,.,1,. aih (,• $36 5.00 5595.00 `1,10e .1 rnmplr:1• line nt 4e•lkirk moo 1 ,I0LIILDALL 51v,c1•11 Stern J MAIN STREET 887-6277 mrsA BRUSSELS nosnieonf Mon • Fri (Oa m - S'.iOp.m. Sat 0 004 m • 1:00p.m