The end of the stick may have cracks radiat- ADDED PRECAUTIONS ing from the center. Green wood does not have this appearance. For the greatest measure of safety for your- Remember that dry wood is not only safer self and your family, you should install one to burn, it is also more economical because it or more approved smoke detectors. Each produces more usable heat. family should also practice a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room in the house.
CHIMNEY CLEANING
Chimney cleaning is a fact of life for the wood burner. If you burn wood, the forma- tion of some creosote is unavoidable. Your The use of wood burning stoves brings into chimney should be cleaned when creosote at the home certain dangers associated with the any point reaches 1/4 inch. The only way to use of wood fuel. These dangers can result BURNING tell when this point is reached is to inspect in serious problems for the unsuspecting your chimney. How often you should con- home owner. duct an inspection varies according to many factors. To begin, make your inspections Enjoy your wood heat, but remember that fairly often. After a time, experience will tell the use of wood fuel requires constant atten- you how often your flue needs to be inspected tion to safety practices. and cleaned. If you want to become your own chimney sweep, start with the correct SAFELY tools. Makeshift equipment may damage your chimney. For those who are not inclined to perform the inspection and cleaning chore themselves, professional chimney sweeps are available in most areas. Next to proper in- stallation, proper cleaning is the most impor- tant wood stove fire safety rule.
Division of State Fire Marshal ASHES 8895 East Main Street BobTaft Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 Governor Dispose of ashes carefully. Place them in 1-888-243-0305 a metal container with a tight fitting lid. Set TTY/TDD: 1-800-750-0750 Doug White container only on a noncombustible surface. www.com.state.oh.us Director of Commerce
Stephen K. Woltz An Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider State Fire Marshal FIRING YOUR STOVE CHIMNEY FIRES REDUCE CREOSOTE BUILDUP
Some ash left over from the last fire can be A chimney fire can be a frightening and These steps will help limit creosote desirable, since it acts as a heat reflector in dangerous experience. A chimney fire may buildup: the bottom of the stove. produce loud crackling, rumbling or roaring • Burn only dry, seasoned wood noises and a red hot stove pipe. These fires Crumple a small amount of paper and can spread to the building itself, causing se- • Avoid slow burning smoky fires place it in the fire chamber. Over the paper rious loss and endangering the lives of your place kindling wood and a few pieces of small family. • Have your chimney inspected and if fuel wood. Be sure the damper is open, then necessary, cleaned periodically Chimney fires are caused when CREO- light the paper. Once the wood begins to burn SOTE, a normal by-product of burning wood, If you do have a chimney fire, in spite of well and a good draft has been created, larger collects on the inside of the chimney and is your precautions, do these things: pieces of wood may be added. ignited. The causes of creosote buildup are • Call the fire department and get everyone listed below: out of the house • Close the stove door, draft opening and damper to cut off air to the fire NEVER: CREOSOTE FORMATION • Never throw water on a hot stove
• Use flammable liquids to light a fire A chimney fire may damage parts of the chimney or stove pipe. Be sure to have an • Store flammable liquids in an area inspection made of your entire system before where a stove is being used you use it again.
• Burn trash, large amounts of paper or small twigs SELECTING WOOD TO BURN
• “Over Fire” so that stove pipe be- One important factor in preventing creo- comes “Red Hot” sote buildup in using only dry, seasoned wood. To be seasoned, wood must have • Leave the doors open or screen off ex- been cut and dried six to twelve months or cept to fuel the fire. longer depending on the kind of wood. If you cut your own wood, cut well in advance • Dry clothing closer than three feet to of the time of use. Give the wood time to dry the stove and become seasoned before use.
• Leave small children in a room where If you buy the wood you will be using – a wood stove is in use shop around. Buy the driest wood you can find. Dry wood looks and feels different than green wood. A stick of dry wood weighs less.