Wood Fireplace Safety Tips

Wood fireplaces are sustainable types of fireplaces that continue burning even during a power outage. They look amazing and offer a distinct aroma that makes your living space appealing. Needless to say, installing wood fireplaces will boost the value of your home. It is this reason that makes wood fireplaces a popular choice in a fireplace store Toronto.

However, when compared to electric and gas fireplaces, wood fireplaces require more maintenance. For starters, you have to make sure the fireplace is clean, and the wood is burning properly. Learning how to care for your wood fireplace is vital for safety reasons.  

Are wooden fireplaces safe?

Wood fireplaces are only unsafe when the user doesn’t know how to operate them properly. The best news is learning how to use the fireplace correctly is easy. To improve safety in your home, there are a couple of safety tips you need to use. 

Install a safety screen

Does your wood fireplace have a safety screen installed? If not, you need to have it installed as soon as possible. A safety screen creates a shield between the user and the fire. A safety screen will also keep hot embers from getting into the room. 

Safety screens are mostly made of glass or a metal mesh. If your wood fireplace doesn’t have a safety screen or you suspect the existing safety screen is not working properly, you should contact a fireplace professional immediately to get it replaced. 

Educate kids about fireplace safety 

Do you have kids in your home? You need to teach them how to be safe around the fireplace. Here are a few tips you should consider:

■ Never leave kids unattended when the fireplace is on

■ Keep all flammable objects far from the fireplace

■ Remove all tripping hazards from the vicinity of the wood fireplace

■ Educate kids on the importance of calling 911 and plan multiple escape routes in the house.

Never use fuel

It is very dangerous to pour flammable liquid onto the wood. This includes butane, gasoline, kerosene and anything else that is similarly flammable. Pouring flammable liquids on wood may lead to unmanageable fires or even an explosion. Don’t lie to yourself that you will be careful when pouring flammable liquids on wood. When lighting the fireplace, you should only rely on tinder and kindling. 

Only use firewood

You should not burn just any wood. This is because not all types of wood are appropriate for burning in a wood fireplace. Every type of firewood has unique properties which are relevant to reliability, efficiency and safety. The most recommended types of firewood are ash, birch, oak and maple. These are the most common types of firewood used in fireplaces. 

You should never use softwood in an indoor fireplace. Any type of wood that has ‘poison’ in its name will emit dangerous substances. Driftwood is also a terrible choice because it contains chlorine which can be very harmful when burnt. 

Shut the damper when not in use

The damper is the door to the chimney from the fireplace. The damper should only be opened when the fireplace is burning. Keep the damper open until the embers extinguish completely. This prevents cold air from outside from getting into your home. You then need to close the damper to keep warm air from escaping through the chimney. 

Install carbon monoxide detectors

A carbon monoxide detector will let you know when there is a build-up of carbon monoxide. Even if you don’t have a fireplace, installing a natural gas detector is essential.

Other important things you should do are to never leave the fire overnight and to maintain a slow burn. If you are in the market for a new fireplace or need advice on the same, the Fireplace Store is the best place to start. You can visit their website on https://www.thefireplacestore.ca/. 

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