President’s Perspective

With the onset of cold weather we budget for higher electric or gas heating bills. Others lay in a supply of propane or coal. For many people wood will heat their homes, either with a woodstove or fireplace or other wood-burning heating device.

There are steps you can take to ensure that your wood fires will be safe ones even if you've already begun using your wood burner for the season.

Make sure that your appliance has been installed properly. Most places have strict codes regarding the installation of wood-burning devices. Assuming installation is correct, don’t overlook the chimney. Many fires can be prevented with proper maintenance and cleaning of the chimney. Whether you have a metal or masonry chimney, begin with a visual inspection, preferably by a professional, so that the gases and smoke from your fire will vent as they should.

A professional will also be able to double check your clearances, that the wall pass through is installed and meets code, that the chimney is adequately supported at the bottom, and that the stovepipe is free of creosote. Creosote can become a problem if not cleaned out. It can ignite if it builds up. You can reduce your likelihood of building up too much creosote by not burning unseasoned wood and by avoiding slow smoldering, smoky fires.

Watch what you burn. Use only seasoned wood and kindling. Never use flammable liquid to start your fires, such as gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene. Though it may be tempting, never burn wood that has been treated, plastics, or other garbage. Not only can they emit poisonous fumes into your home and into the air outside, but they can cause corrosion in the heater, vent and chimneys. Watching what you burn can extend the life of all parts of your wood-burning system.

Remember not to clutter the area close to your wood stove or fireplace with magazines, newspapers, dry kindling or other combustible items. Backpacks wet from the rain can quickly dry and ignite; clothing hung over fire screens can also catch fire, for instance.

Install a carbon monoxide detector. This measures the air inside the house and goes off if the carbon monoxide levels are too high. Use as the manufacturer recommends and at recommended intervals in your home.

Here at CSC, we hear all too often that working smoke detectors which are essential are not installed on each level of the house. The way I see it no home should be without them. Once your wood-burning system has been inspected, and safety concerns have been addressed and rectified, then you can look forward to a worry-free, cozy season of home-warming wood heat.

Wishing all of our readers a happy and safe 2008.

Safety, It’s an Attitutude

Jack Smith
President

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		President’s Perspective With the onset of cold weather we budget for higher electric or gas heating bills. Others lay in a supply of propane or coal. For many people wood will heat their homes, either with a woodstove or fireplace or other wood-burning heating device. There are steps you can take to ensure that your wood fires will be safe ones even if you've already begun using your wood burner for the season. Make sure that your appliance has been installed properly. Most places have strict codes regarding the installation of wood-burning devices. Assuming installation is correct, don’t overlook the chimney. Many fires can be prevented with proper maintenance and cleaning of the chimney. Whether you have a metal or masonry chimney, begin with a visual inspection, preferably by a professional, so that the gases and smoke from your fire will vent as they should. A professional will also be able to double check your clearances, that the wall pass through is installed and meets code, that the chimney is adequately supported at the bottom, and that the stovepipe is free of creosote. Creosote can become a problem if not cleaned out. It can ignite if it builds up. You can reduce your likelihood of building up too much creosote by not burning unseasoned wood and by avoiding slow smoldering, smoky fires. Watch what you burn. Use only seasoned wood and kindling. Never use flammable liquid to start your fires, such as gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene. Though it may be tempting, never burn wood that has been treated, plastics, or other garbage. Not only can they emit poisonous fumes into your home and into the air outside, but they can cause corrosion in the heater, vent and chimneys. Watching what you burn can extend the life of all parts of your wood-burning system. Remember not to clutter the area close to your wood stove or fireplace with magazines, newspapers, dry kindling or other combustible items. Backpacks wet from the rain can quickly dry and ignite; clothing hung over fire screens can also catch fire, for instance. Install a carbon monoxide detector. This measures the air inside the house and goes off if the carbon monoxide levels are too high. Use as the manufacturer recommends and at recommended intervals in your home. Here at CSC, we hear all too often that working smoke detectors which are essential are not installed on each level of the house. The way I see it no home should be without them. Once your wood-burning system has been inspected, and safety concerns have been addressed and rectified, then you can look forward to a worry-free, cozy season of home-warming wood heat. Wishing all of our readers a happy and safe 2008. *Safety, It’s an Attitutude* Jack Smith President Return to top of page			Safety Canada (January 2008)