Safety First!
Fire prevention tips

A wood stove brings warmth, beauty, and old-fashioned charm to any home—but with that charm comes responsibility. Each year, thousands of house fires start from heating equipment, and chimney fires alone account for about 25,000 incidents in the U.S. causing a total of 125 million dollars a year.

But don’t worry—with a few smart habits, you can enjoy the cozy glow without the risk. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and warm.

A man and a young child sitting on a blanket on the floor, near a fireplace, with a basket of firewood nearby. The man is showing the child how to make a wish with a small stick of wood.
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🔥 WOOD STOVE
FIRE SAFETY

  • Close-up of a cross-section of a tree trunk showing growth rings and cracks.

    🔥 Burn the Right Fuel

    Not everything that burns belongs in your stove. Here’s what’s safe—and what to avoid:

    Use this:

    Dry, seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, beech, ash, or hickory (split, stacked, and aged at least 6–12 months).

    Kindling, paper (sparingly), or natural fire starters like fatwood.

    Avoid this:

    Garbage, plastics, or glossy/colored paper (they release toxins).

    Painted or treated wood—old construction wood can contain lead, arsenic, or mercury.

    Coal or charcoal—your stove wasn’t built for it.

    Lighter fluid, gasoline, or any accelerants—these are explosion risks.

  • Person wearing blue disposable medical gloves raising hands against a plain white background.

    🛠️ Keep Up with Maintenance

    Think of your stove like any other appliance—it needs regular TLC.

    Clean your chimney with your Chimney Snake system at least twice a year (or monthly if you use your woodstove as a primary heat source

    Empty ashes into a metal container with a tight-fitting lid, and store it outside—10 feet away from your home is best.

    After emptying, use a wire brush to clean the inside of your stove.

    Keep doors closed while the fire is burning—open them only when adding wood.

    The more often you clean, the easier it gets. A quick brush and scoop after each use can go a long way toward long-term safety.

  • Wooden logs burning in a fire pit with flames rising, surrounded by darkness.

    🚫 Be Smart When Starting Fires

    A slow, steady start is the safest way.

    Don’t rush or use lighter fluid—it can explode inside a closed stove.

    Stick to kindling, dry paper, and small logs. Patience is safer than panic.

    Skip the charcoal—its fumes aren’t safe indoors.

  • Brick building exterior with multiple air conditioning units and large ventilation pipes running along the wall, situated on a concrete foundation with grass in the foreground.

    🌬️ Watch for Ventilation Issues

    Your stove must be properly vented to burn safely.

    The stovepipe should be as short and direct as possible.

    Never share a flue with another appliance, and never let the pipe pass through walls or floors without the right setup.

    This is not a DIY project—get professional installation if you’re adding a stove to your home.

    Also, avoid drying clothes on or near the stove. Yes, it's tempting—but no, it's not safe.

  • Two children, a girl and a boy, sitting on the floor in front of a glass-encased fireplace, watching the fire burn, with a decorated Christmas tree in the background.

    👀 Supervise Your Fire

    Wood stoves are safer than open fireplaces, but they still need to be watched.

    Never leave a fire unattended.

    Keep kids and pets at a distance—a stove door is hot, and curious hands move fast.

    If your fire gets too large, close the door and dampers to reduce airflow and calm it down.