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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Deon Melchior | Posted under Home Improvement
Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplaces Safety Upheld
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When thinking about adding a wood stove to your home to save money and energy there is some things to consider. Sure wood may be cheaper to heat your home, especially if you can find free wood. Consider the fact that if anyone in your home has asthma wood burners it may not be the best thing for their health. Always keep safety in mind when you are thinking about having a woodstove installed in your home. Once you have decided to put a wood burner in your home, the EPA woodstove inserts are one of the most effective if properly installed. It will give many benefits to your family and save money in the end. Wood burners are very efficient and safer with more heat efficiency and less smoke. If not properly installed, it can cause a house fire or maybe death. Be sure that there is only a thin wisp of steam coming from your chimney when using wood to be safe. You should never smell smoke when burning wood; if you do it means there is a problem and needs to be corrected immediately. When having your stove installed have a professional installer certified to be on the safe side. Make sure that there is a vent running to the exterior from your stove. The vent will keep your stove from smoking. Smoke from your heater causes creosote to build up in the chimney. Creosote is a combustible form of wood gases that is not being burned completely. This build up will cause a house fire very easily. On a yearly basis your chimney, woodstove and vents should all be professionally cleaned by a chimney sweeps. If you can't find one near you, check out the Internet and you'll find listings of many chimney sweeps located in your area or nearest you. When using a wood burner always keep safety in mind. Install your stove away from curtains or anything that could be flammable. Practice safety when starting the fire by using dry kindling and clean newspapers. Never use gasoline. Kerosene, charcoal starter or propane torch is not recommended either. Make sure your wood is seasoned and dry. Any wood with sawdust or wax should not be used. If you use manufactured wood, be sure it is 100% sawdust and not have anything else mixed in with it. Don't let your fire smolder, make sure it is small and hot. Always check to make sure the doors are completely closed unless refueling the stove. Remove the ashes often by putting them into a metal container with a lid and set it outside away from the house or anything made of wood; a brick or cement slab is recommended. Always have a fire extinguisher near by. Whenever installing a woodstove or any combustion appliance, be sure to install a fire alarm and a carbon monoxide detector. Heating with wood can be very dangerous if safety isn't followed, causing a house fire or carbon monoxide that could result in death. The fire alarm should be installed professionally when the stove is installed to make sure it is in the proper location. The battery should be checked once a month to make sure that it is in full charge. If there should be any smoke or fire the fire alarm will go off to give your family warring that something is wrong. The carbon monoxide detector is to notify your family of the harmful chemicals that come from smoke. People die due to CO poisoning from the chemicals in smoke. It is colorless and odorless reducing the blood ability to carry the oxygen in it. Practice safety when installing a woodstove and enjoy the heat. About The Author: Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com |
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