How many days until spring? With cold damp nights upon us, the cozy warmth provided by your fireplace or wood burning stove is a snug feeling. Here are a few tips to remember about wood burning safety:
- Never burn trash in your stove or fireplace and always build your fire on the andiron or grate not on the fireplace floor.
- A fitted screen or doors should always be in place when you are enjoying your fire.
- Flammable liquids such as kerosene or charcoal lighter fluid should never be used to start a fire. Check to make sure the fire is out when you are ready to retire for the evening.
- Storage of large amounts of firewood should be outside of the room in case insects are present in the logs.
- Keep the damper closed when there is no fire since this will prevent warm room air from escaping up the chimney
- Finally, a chimney-cleaning professional should check and clean the chimney flue at least once each year to prevent the build-up of combustible material inside of your chimney.
- Remember when you go to relight your fireplace next year to be sure the chimney is clear of obstructions and the fireplace draws properly. To do this, open the damper, light a piece of newspaper on the grate or andiron, and notice how the smoke is drawn up the chimney.