Wood-fire precautions that are critical for your family’s safety

There is comfort in the crackling sound of a wood-burning fireplace or stove on a cold winter’s night. However, warm and cozy can quickly turn dangerous, destructive and deadly if your wood-burning unit is not properly installed or regularly maintained.

 The Canada Safety Council is focusing on safe practices and reminding fireplace and wood stove users to think about safety before starting any fires.

 Preparation tips

 Preventative care and a well-designed area for burning wood can reduce the likelihood of an unintended incident.

 When installing a wood stove, situate it on a non-combustible surface such as a tile floor. Adequate ventilation is very important for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning; make sure a door or window is easily accessible from your wood-burning area.

 Consult a professional about proper installation of stove pipes. If you are using a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and serviced by a professional regularly.

 Keep an area of at least one metre around the stove or fireplace clear of anything that might catch fire or overheat. You may need to install a heat shield behind or beside the stove to prevent heat damage to any nearby walls.

 Firing it up

 Before lighting your fireplace or wood stove, open the damper to allow for good airflow.

 Build your fire with a small amount of dry, seasoned wood to keep the flames under control.

 Resist the temptation to overload your fireplace or stove. Burning too much wood at once can cause tar and creosote to build up in your chimney or stove pipes, which creates a fire hazard.

 Never use highly flammable materials, such as wrapping paper or gasoline in a wood stove or fireplace. These substances can create dangerous fireballs in an instant, and just like burning too much wood at once, it can cause a build-up of flammable materials in your chimney or stove pipes.

 Always use a screen in front of the fireplace, and never leave children unattended by a fire. Have a fire escape plan for your house and regularly review it with your family.

 Other considerations

 Keep a working fire extinguisher in an accessible location. Check your smoke detectors monthly, and replace the batteries as necessary.

 You should also have a carbon monoxide detector near your fireplace or wood stove. Carbon monoxide build-up can occur if the area around your wood-burning unit is inadequately ventilated.

 Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches and nausea. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, get out of the building immediately and find out what needs to be done to correct the ventilation problem.

 With the holiday season fast approaching, remember to take decorations, such as stockings off the fireplace before use. If you have a real Christmas tree, water it regularly and keep it a safe distance away from your wood stove and any open flames.

 Never leave your house or go to bed when a fire is still burning.

 When it’s time to clean the ashes out of the fireplace or wood-stove, wait until they are completely cool and scoop them into a metal bucket. Never place the ashes in a plastic or cardboard container; it can take up to three days for embers and ashes to completely cool.