Fire hazards increase in the winter because of the use of wood fuel heating systems, space heaters, and holiday trees. The cost of natural gas has been a “hot” topic this fall, and many people are considering using and/or installing wood burners to supplement or even heat their house. Burning wood is one of the most hazardous ways to heat your home. A wood stove can’t be completely controlled with a wall thermostat. Fuel can’t be cut off by flipping a switch or turning a valve. Wood doesn’t burn cleanly like modern fuels. Wood stoves get hotter than conventional furnaces and produce hotter exhaust gases.

Use of a wood stove involves a lot of work, attention, and knowledge—even if you don’t cut your own wood. Many are taking dangerous shortcuts because they won’t make the commitment to wood burning and the lifestyle changes required to do it safely. If you aren’t willing to do the work and to become an informed wood fuel user, you risk your home and family every time the wood stove is lit.

If you’re considering buying a wood burner, check with local building code officials, the fire department, or your insurance agent. These people can provide vital information about safe installation and operation and do the inspection services to help assure your family’s safety. Check your local library, bookstore, government agencies, and university extension services for good, reliable, current information about wood burning and safety.

Talk to people who are wood burning in your area about problems they’ve encountered and the lifestyle changes they’ve had to make. Talking to them may be the best way to determine if wood burning is for you.

Wood burners aren’t the only fire hazards in your house. Candles have moved up to nearly the most common cause of fires in the past few years, and holiday trees and decorations that dry out or are used with faulty lights and wires are a problem.

Now is a good time to review these safety measures:
• Make sure your family knows what the smoke detectors sound like, and have an escape plan for your family if the smoke detectors go off.
• Test the detectors at least once a month, and change the batteries twice a year when the time changes.
• Don’t use heaters that burn fuel such as kerosene inside a residence. Using these appliances in enclosed places can start fires and generate life-threatening carbon monoxide. TPW