Those of us who have a wood stove or fireplace need to be mindful of many of the same safety issues. Below are a few important tips to be considered.
Probably, the least thought of but the most important thing to remember is to have your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year, especially if you are burning soft wood such as pine or spruce. All wood should be seasoned for at least one year. Properly seasoned wood and burning at the correct temperature help keep creosote from accumulating too quickly on the chimney walls.
There are magnetic thermometers that stay on the outer surface of the metal chimney wall for wood stoves that help to show the proper temperature. Wood burned between 100 degrees and 250 degrees leaves too much creosote. 250 degrees to about 460 degrees are the optimum temperatures to burn at. Temperatures higher than 460 degrees increase chances of a chimney fire.
Keep firewood or any other flammable material away from fireplace and wood stove. If it gets too hot it can ignite.
Keep a fire extinguisher close by for any emergency.
When lighting the wood, use kindling, newspaper or fat wood. Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids. Always make sure the damper is open.
A glass door or full screen in front of a fireplace is a must to prevent embers from popping out onto the floor surface.
Another important safety device besides a fire extinguisher is a carbon monoxide alarm. Several alarms should be installed and maintained outside sleeping areas.
Teach young children about the dangers of a fireplace or wood stove before an accident occurs.
When it becomes necessary to clean out the ashes of your wood stove or fireplace, do not put ashes in a cardboard box, paper bag or plastic bag. Put your ashes in a metal container with a lid. Using a metal container with a lid allows the ashes to cool if there happens to be some warm embers. The metal container should be place on a non-flammable surface outside.
There is nothing that is more comforting than watching a fire thru the glass door on a wood stove or thru a screen in front of a fireplace. It is even more enjoyable when you know the safety tips have been followed.