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Fireplace Risks
Home » Outdoor Furniture » Fireplace Safety » Fireplace RisksBurning wood improperly can produce carbon monoxide. Take the following precautions when burning wood:
• Be sure your wood is a seasoned hardwood. This is wood with a moisture content of less than 20 percent. Hardwoods burn cleaner than softwoods.
• Examples of hardwoods are oak, hickory, maple, and ash.
o Examples of softwoods are pine, cedar, and fir.
• Never burn green wood, which is wood that has been recently cut. The wood should have aged for at least six months to a year.
• Never burn wood that is wet. It is advisable to keep wood covered.
As your fire begins to burn down, the wood goes through a progression in which it becomes charcoal ashes. Ash can trap unburned carbon that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keep in mind that children are fascinated by fire and young children do not understand the dangers. Never turn your back on a child in a room with a fireplace. A fireplace should be screened off where a small child cannot get close to the fire. Most fireplace related injuries occur in children under the age of five.
Each year there are many children also burned by gas fireplaces. This is because a gas fireplace heats up very quickly and the glass doors become very hot. The doors also retain their heat for about 45 minutes after the fireplace has been turned off. Be aware that the ignition light can also put out heat from which a child can be burned.
Chimneys can become obstructed and smoke will build up inside the home instead of going out the chimney. Soot and creosote can cause the buildup inside the chimney. A weak chimney draft can also cause smoke to build up inside the room. A dirty chimney can contribute to air pollution. Your chimney should be professionally inspected every year to see if a cleaning is needed.
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