Skip to content

Start your Claim

Find a Broker or Agent

What We Protect
- Farm
- Home
- Auto
- Commercial
Who We Are
In The Community
Resources
- Blog
- News
Contact Us

What We Protect
- Farm
- Home
- Auto
- Commercial
Who We Are
In The Community
Resources
- Blog
- News
Contact Us

Winter Warnings for Wood-burning Stoves and Fireplaces

Recent Posts

Flood Protection

Stop Winter’s Attack on Your Roof

Fire Safety Tips to Protect What Matters Most

Extension Cord DO’S AND DON’TS

Is Your Home Keeping Pace with Your Electricity Needs?

There’s nothing like the warmth and smell of a wood fire in the chilly days of winter. But that woodstove or fireplace you have needs TLC to pump out the heat to keep you feeling toasty warm.

Wood smoke can condense on the cool inner surface of a chimney, producing a buildup of creosote deposits – a highly flammable material that can ignite at the base of your chimney.

Also, high temperature can damage the clay liners in a masonry chimney or the metal liner in a factory-built chimney.

Ways to prevent chimney fires:

Have your system checked regularly by a WETT-certified chimney sweep for deposits until you know how quickly creosote builds up. Older, conventional wood stoves and furnaces can produce creosote quickly because they are unable to burn the wood as completely as the more advanced designs.
Never assume the chimney is clean. Check it regularly especially during the fall and spring.
Burn only clean, well-seasoned wood that has been split and dried for at least a year.

Do it right the first time

The best way to ensure your stove or fireplace is burning well is to make sure the installation meets the manufacturer’s installation instructions and all local building codes:

Have the installation inspected by your municipal building department or in some cases they will refer you to a local WETTcertified retailer, installer or chimney sweep for inspection.
Notify your Broker that the installation is complete.
Install at least one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector in the areas of the room recommended by your municipality and carefully follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Remember to replace the batteries annually on both.
Buy a labelled and approved ABC-type fire extinguisher and store it near the stove. Follow the instructions on the extinguisher label for maintenance procedures.

If you do have a chimney fire, have it immediately inspected and repaired, as necessary.

Contact your Broker for more advice on how to keep your family and home covered. Ask your Broker about having one of our Risk Assessment Specialists visit to identify hazards and prevent potential losses for your home.

Explore Other Products

Find a Broker or Agent

We’re dedicated to providing tailored insurance solutions for your home, farm, business, or vehicle. Experience the peace of mind that comes with working with a trusted insurance provider.

Find a Broker or Agent

Grenville Mutual Insurance Company
380 Colonnade Drive
Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0
Telephone: (613) 258-9988
Fax: (613) 258-1142

Emergency Claims:

1 (800) 267-4400

What We Protect

Farm
Home
Auto
Commercial

Farm
Home
Auto
Commercial

Who We Are

Careers
Governance
Audited Financial Statements

Careers
Governance
Audited Financial Statements

In the Community

Resources
Contact Us

Resources
Contact Us

Code of Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Disclosure
Privacy
Accessibility
Complaint Protocol
Safe Disclosure Policy

Code of Consumer Rights and Responsibilities
Disclosure
Privacy
Accessibility
Complaint Protocol
Safe Disclosure Policy

Agent & Broker Login

© Grenville Mutual Insurance Company 2025

Follow us on social media: