Fireplaces And Stoves

WOODBURNING FIREPLACES AND STOVES

A wood fireplace and wood burning stoves are a part of the homesteading tradition going back to frontier times. No one snuggles up to a manufactured metal furnace, but they will get close to a wood burning fireplace to catch some of that pioneer experience. There is something about one that just draws you in. Are wood burning fireplaces and stoves safe? Rather than  giving a yes or no answer to this, these can be reasonably safe if they are maintained and used properly. The main danger with wood-burning equipment is smoke inhalation. Stoves and fireplaces often have leaks and places where smoke gets out into the home. Smoke inhalation is never a good thing. It can lead to chronic bronchitis,  pulmonary arterial hypertension, chronic interstitial lung disease, and corpulmonale, and altered pulmonary immune defence mechanisms. Realizing this, if you want a wood-burning fireplace or stove in your home, buy a good one. Don't go cheap. Get one that is well sealed and make sure that the whole pipe system is well sealed. As well as that:

Important Tips for Wood Fireplaces
  • Have the chimney checked and/or cleaned at least one a year.
  • Install a chimney cap to keep debris and small animals out.
  • Make sure that there are no tree branches near the chimney.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors.
  • If you are going to have the front open (not recommended, it lets smoke out), put on a fire screen to stop sparks.
  • Don't leave the fire on when you go to bed. Put it out.

References
https://www.csia.org/firewood.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireplace#Wood
 
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