What You Should Know About Fire Prevention and Your New Wood Burning Stove

Having a wood burning stove is something that appeals to many people. You may want one to add a special look to your rustic themed home or you may want one for an alternative form of heat during colder months. If you have just purchased a new, or antique, wood burning stove there are some fire prevention steps you should take to keep your home and family safe.

Let Ashes Cool

One of the key steps to preventing a fire with wood burning stoves is to let the ashes cool completely before you dispose of them. Warm ashes can still cause a fire when they are placed in trash cans or outdoor garbage piles. If you need to remove them from the stove before they are completely cool, consider purchasing an ash bin that can hold warm or even hot ashes safely. These are usually available from wood stove stores or fireplace stores.

Pre-Season Cleaning

One of the ways that wood burning stoves can lead to home fires is due to a lack of cleaning. Before the cold weather season begins, have a professional clean the stove and the stove pipes. Make sure they are free of built-up debris and problems and that the airways and duct work is clean and free of blockages. This will ensure that there is nothing to catch fire in the pipes or ventilation of the stove that can spread to your roof or walls of your home.

Create a Safe Area

One way to take part in fire prevention with your new wood stove is to give the stove its own space. Make sure that it has a safe and clutter-free area for at least three feet surrounding the stove. This makes sure that the heat from the stove doesn't spark a fire or that a possible spark from the wood burning doesn't come in contact with a flammable item.  You may also want to consider building a carpet-free floor specifically for the wood burning stove to cut down on possible ashes burning your carpeting.

Alarm Installation

In addition to your traditional fire alarms, make sure you are installing a carbon monoxide alarm as well. The combined alarms will not only alert you to fires, but they will also alert you to possible carbon monoxide leaks that may be connected to issues that lead to fires. These can be installed by your alarm technician or contractor.

These are just a few of the fire prevention steps you can take. If you have any questions about fire safety and your wood burning stove, contact your local fire department or other fire prevention experts such as Anthony French Property Maintenance. They can answer questions and check your wood stove for any possible issues.