It`s time to get the fire going again! All of us that use wood or pellet or any other alternate fuel to heat with are busy busy busy this time of year!
So, that said, how`s about a quick reminder of some of the things to keep in mind as you get into the swing of things...(got this from the good folks @ the NFPA)
Wood and Pellet-Burning Stoves
Wood and pellet burning stoves can be effective tools for heating, but they also pose fire hazards that contribute to home heating equipment being the second leading cause of U.S. home fires.
That’s one reason why the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are teaming up to reduce the risk of home heating fires this December, January and February, when half of all U.S. home heating fires occur. Through their joint fire safety campaign, “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires,” both organizations offer the following guidelines for safe use of wood and pellet burning stoves:
• Install the stove, chimney connectors and chimneys following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
• Wood stoves should have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
• Start the fire with newspaper or kindling, never with a flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
• Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings. Douse and saturate the ashes with water.
• Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
Stuff everybody already knows, but it doesnt` hurt to go over it again.
Winter fires are preventable! For more heating fire safety advice from NFPA and USFA’s “Put a Freeze on Winter” campaign, visit www.nfpa.org/winter.
So, that said, how`s about a quick reminder of some of the things to keep in mind as you get into the swing of things...(got this from the good folks @ the NFPA)
Wood and Pellet-Burning Stoves
Wood and pellet burning stoves can be effective tools for heating, but they also pose fire hazards that contribute to home heating equipment being the second leading cause of U.S. home fires.
That’s one reason why the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are teaming up to reduce the risk of home heating fires this December, January and February, when half of all U.S. home heating fires occur. Through their joint fire safety campaign, “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires,” both organizations offer the following guidelines for safe use of wood and pellet burning stoves:
• Install the stove, chimney connectors and chimneys following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
• Wood stoves should have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
• Start the fire with newspaper or kindling, never with a flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
• Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings. Douse and saturate the ashes with water.
• Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
Stuff everybody already knows, but it doesnt` hurt to go over it again.
Winter fires are preventable! For more heating fire safety advice from NFPA and USFA’s “Put a Freeze on Winter” campaign, visit www.nfpa.org/winter.
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