Wood-burning Stove Safety

January 29, 2025||inPersonal Insurance|cooking safety, fire safety, general safety, home, home safety, homeowners insurance, personal insurance, safety

The top source of fires in American homes comes from fuel-burning appliances—such as a wood-burning stove. That’s why it’s vital to follow proper precautions when using your wood-burning stove. Consider the following guidance to ensure safe operation of your stove—keeping you, your family and your home protected against the risk of a fire.

Wood-burning Stove
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  • Read the instructions for your wood-burning stove and follow them carefully.
  • Inspect the firebrick liner in your stove, if you have one. Should the liner show signs of wear, replace it immediately and do not use the unit until the liner is replaced.
  • Don’t use flammable or combustible liquid (e.g., gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid) to start a fire.
  • Burn wood recommended by the manufacturer only.
  • Don’t burn plastic, wood or garbage that has been painted or treated with chemicals.
  • Be sure to have properly maintained smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and an approved multipurpose fire extinguisher in your home.
  • Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. Doing so will cause the fire to heat up which will force toxic carbon monoxide into your house.
  • Take extra care when disposing of hot ashes. Remember that these embers may remain hot for several days.

Prioritize Routine Inspections and Maintenance

Solid fuel units (including wood-burning stoves) tend to require significantly more upkeep than other heating systems. Failure to conduct regular inspections and maintenance could lead to the development of cracks, leaks, warping, baffle gaps or creosote buildup in your wood-burning stove—all of which can cause a fire.

With this in mind, be sure to have your stove inspected at least once every year by a qualified professional for potential problems, and make repairs as needed. In addition, conduct monthly maintenance practices of your own to keep your stove in good (and safe) condition.

For more home maintenance guidance, check out our other blog posts. For help with your homeowners insurance, contact us today

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