Wood-burning fireplaces and wood stoves continue to grow in popularity, and with as efficient and beautiful as they are, there are some safety risks that homeowners should be aware of when operating these gorgeous heating appliances. An understanding of safety should be a priority, to avoid hazardous fires caused by wood burners. Statistics show that fires caused by wood-burning appliances in the U.S. are associated with approximately 2,500 injuries and 280 deaths annually. Needless to say, special attention must be paid to these risks on a regular basis. The following tips and information will help you to ensure the safe operation of your wood-burning appliance.
Common Wood Burner Hazards
The following points are among the leading causes of fires associated with wood-burning:
- Chimney obstructions cause many fires every year. It is dangerous to light a fire in a fireplace or wood stove without knowing whether the chimney has been properly maintained and is clear of blockage.
- An excess build-up of creosote is among the causes of chimney obstructions, but that isn’t the only reason to keep your chimney clean. Creosote is highly flammable. A spark from the fire could ignite the creosote in your chimney lining and cause a hazardous chimney fire. Chimney fires are intense blazes that can quickly spread to the house, sometimes leaving the occupants insufficient time to safely escape.
- When a wood burner is not installed with proper clearance from combustible materials, such as the floor, walls, furniture, and ceilings, the result can be a dangerous fire.
- The chimney is either incorrectly installed or improperly maintained.
- The appliance is not installed, maintained, or operated according to instructions provided by the manufacturer.
More About Clearances
Some insurance companies will not cover fires caused by wood burning appliances if they are not professionally installed. Proper installation can help to ensure safe use and optimal performance of a wood-burning appliance.
One of the most important installation aspects is clearance to combustibles. The spacing should follow manufacturer’s required distances. Non-combustible materials required safety distance can be reduced with approved heat shields protected walls. Your wood-burning appliance Installation Manual will provide the best methods to reduce the minimum clearances to combustible materials.
We reiterate the importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions and to seek professional expertise to ensure a safe installation compliant with all relevant Codes and Regulations.
Wood Stove Safety Tips
Are you eager to enjoy your wood stove with peace of mind ? Read carefully the following recommendations.
- Have a professional install your wood-burning appliance, particularly for the purpose of being sure the clearance between the stove and combustibles is adequate.
- Wood stoves should always be placed on a fire-resistant, noncombustible base.
- Have a professional inspect your chimney annually.
- Burn only wood that has been properly dried or seasoned.
- Safely dispose of ashes. A metal container with a lid should be used, and it should not be placed on a combustible surface or, for instance, on the back porch. Place the ashes away from the home, to give them adequate time to completely cool.Do not place your ash bucket on a combustible floor, even if it is on your outdoor patio.
- If possible, avoid extending a stove pipe through a ceiling or wall.
- Do not connect a wood stove to a chimney that is being used for another purpose, such as for another appliance.
- Never start a fire with flammable liquids.
- Do not burn trash in a wood stove because the result could be a chimney fire.
Auburn, ALTop Hat Chimney Sweeps 1280 Financial Ct. Auburn, AL 36830 |  | Visit Store Page |
Elk Grove, CACustom Fireside Shops 9097 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove, CA 95624 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sacramento, CACustom Fireside Shops 5455 Auburn Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95841 |  | Visit Store Page |
Durango, CODurango Outdoor Living 140 Rock Point Drive Durango, CO 81301 |  | Visit Store Page |
Durango, COFour Corner Stoves & Spas 3001 Main Avenue Durango, CO 81301 |  | Visit Store Page |
Grand Junction, COStove Depot and Chimney Works 330 North Ave. Grand Junction, CO 81501 |  | Visit Store Page |
New London, CTFamily Hearth and Patio LLC 571 Broad Street New London, CT 06320 |  | Visit Store Page |
Ridgefield, CTYankee Doodle, Inc. 71 Ethan Allen Highway Ridgefield, CT 06877 |  | Visit Store Page |
Dover, DEByler's Stove Shoppe Inc. 1368b Rose Valley School Rd. Dover, DE 19904 |  | Visit Store Page |
Destin, FLDoodlebuggers Service Network 36054 Emerald Coast Parkway Destin, FL 32541 | | |
Bettendorf, IAFireplaces Plus, Inc. 1745 State Street Bettendorf, IA 52722 |  | Visit Store Page |
Post Falls, IDQuality Stoves & Home Furnishings 569 N Syringa St Post Falls, ID 83854 | | |
Rockford, ILAdvanced Chimney Systems, Inc. 3486 Lonergan Drive Rockford, IL 61109 |  | Visit Store Page |
Wauconda, ILGrass Roots Energy, Inc. 28751 N Route 12 Wauconda, IL 60084 |  | Visit Store Page |
Evansville, INFiremaster, Inc. 5300 E Morgan Avenue Evansville, IN 47715 | | |
Jeffersonville, INOlde Towne Chimney & Fireplace Sales 915 Nachand Ln Jeffersonville, IN 47130 |  | Visit Store Page |
Overland Park, KSKansas City Fireplace Center 10470 Metcalf Avenue Overland Park, KS 66212 |  | Visit Store Page |
Erlanger, KYTateBuilder's Supply, LLC 3511 Dixie Highway Erlanger, KY 41018 |  | Visit Store Page |
Littleton, MAWoodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc. 60 White Street Littleton, MA 01460 |  | Visit Store Page |
Seekonk, MAThe Fireplace Showcase 775 Fall River Ave Seekonk, MA 02771 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sudbury, MAWoodstove, Fireplace and Patio Shop, Inc. 348 Boston Post Road Sudbury, MA 01776 |  | Visit Store Page |
Duluth, MNDuluth Stove & Fireplace 2431 W Superior Street Duluth, MN 55806 |  | Visit Store Page |
Minneapolis, MNWoodland Stoves & Fireplaces 2901 Franklin Ave. South Minneapolis, MN 55406 | | |
Oakdale, MNEnergy Savers of Minnesota 6298 Highway 36 Blvd N Oakdale, MN 55128 |  | Visit Store Page |
Rochester, MNBrekke Fireplace Shoppe 1904 S. Broadway Rochester, MN 55904 |  | Visit Store Page |
Walker, MNWilkening Fireplace Company 9608 State 371 NW Walker, MN 56484 |  | Visit Store Page |
Fargo, NDHome Heating, Plumbing & A/C Inc. 701 28th Street South Fargo, ND 58103 | | |
Omaha, NEFireplace By Design 13913 R Plaza Omaha, NE 68137 | | |
Epping, NHThe Stove Shoppe 285, Calef Highway Rte. 125 Epping, NH 03042 | | |
Windham, NHThe Stove Shoppe 25 Indian Rock Road Windham, NH 03087 | | |
Hamilton, NJBowden's Fireside - Hearth & Home 1731 Nottingham Way Hamilton, NJ 08619 |  | Visit Store Page |
Voorhees, NJRettinger Fireplace Systems, Inc. 476 Centennial Blvd Voorhees, NJ 08043 |  | Visit Store Page |
St. Henry, OHBuschur's Refrigeration, Inc. 541 N Eastern Avenue St. Henry, OH 45883 |  | Visit Store Page |
Media, PAChimney Cricket 101 State Road Media, PA 19063 |  | Visit Store Page |
Rapid City, SDHebron Brick Company 1543 Deadwood Ave Rapid City, SD 57709 |  | Visit Store Page |
Sioux Falls, SDHebron Brick Company 2211 W. 50th Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105-6525 |  | Visit Store Page |
Vermillion, SDKalin's Indoor Comfort Inc. 710 Cottage Avenue Vermillion, SD 57069 |  | Visit Store Page |
Manassas, VAWinston's Chimney Service 11301 Industrial Road Manassas, VA 20109 |  | Visit Store Page |
Barre, VTChimney Sweep Fireplace Shop 1284 US Rte, 302 Ste 10 Barre, VT 05641-2317 |  | Visit Store Page |
Bennington, VTFriends of The Sun 126 Hicks Avenue Bennington, VT 05201 |  | Visit Store Page |
Manchester, VTFriends of The Sun 159 Depot Street Manchester, VT 05255 |  | Visit Store Page |
Shelburne, VTChimney Sweep Fireplace Shop 3113 Shelburne Road Shelburne, VT 05482 |  | Visit Store Page |
White River Jnct, VTHome Comfort of New England 1255 VA Cut Off Road White River Jnct, VT 05001 |  | Visit Store Page |
Burlington, WIBurlington Fireplace & Heating LLC 857 Milwaukee Ave. Burlington, WI 53105 |  | Visit Store Page |
Madison, WITop Hat 5117 Verona Rd Madison, WI 53711 |  | Visit Store Page |
Morgantown, WVRustic By Design 709 Beechurst Ave. Suite 15 Morgantown, WV 26505 | | |
Laramie, WYHigh Country Stoves & Fireplaces 860 N. 3rd Street Laramie, WY 82072 | | |