Wood stove Safety

Wood burning is a popular method of home heating in Washington State. However, the byproducts of wood burning can be significant factors affecting our quality of life and living.

The following tips will help you to be a safe wood burner as well as a good neighbor:

• Insulate and weather strip your home to conserve heat.  You may be able to use a smaller wood stove and burn less wood.
• Burn seasoned wood only.  Green wood just smolders and smokes without producing much heat. An average 16-pound piece of freshly cut alder contains about 2 1/2 quarts of moisture. It is best to use wood that has been seasoned for six months to a year. Split wood before storing because it will dry in less time and burn more evenly. Use of proper wood is your best safeguard against an accumulation of creosote on the lining of a chimney. Creosote is an oily substance which is produced by incomplete combustion and very flammable. A small spark can ignite creosote and cause what can be an extremely hot and dangerous fire.
• Achieve proper burning temperatures.  A properly functioning appliance should not produce more than a pale wisp of smoke.
• Burn only wood in your appliance.  Avoid burning trash, treated materials, or coal because these materials can give off poisonous gases.
• Consider the air quality before you burn wood.  Unless your wood stove is the only source of heat in your home, never use your wood stove during a burn ban.
• Spring cleaning.  Include your wood stove and chimneys in your annual cleaning.

Proper maintenance of your stove and chimneys, along with proper use, will keep your appliance safe and functioning well.