Fireplaces - Nine Things You Should Never Burn - Fireplace Safety (2024)

When you were growing up youprobably heard the age-old admonition, “Don’t playwith fire!” Turns out,adults oftentimes need to be reminded of the same thing. Whohasn’t seen orheard of a friend suffering burns from careless use of a barbeque orbonfire –such as pouring on copious amounts of flammable liquids? The fireplacein yourhome is certainly no place to break safe burning rules, since an accidentcouldlead to a dangerous and costly home fire. The following are things thatshouldnever be burned in your fireplace, and some could be a surprise to you.

One

It may seem that firewood isfirewood and driftwood is just another kind of wood forthe fire. Not so,according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)! Don’tburn oceandriftwood in your fireplace because the wood has absorbed chemicalsfrom theocean that may be toxic when burned.

Two

Don’t burn wood that has beentreated, stained painted, or manufactured.Cardboard, plywood, and treated andpainted lumber are examples. The problemwith burning these materials is thatthey release toxic fumes when burned.

Three

While we’re on the subject offumes, never burn plastics in your fireplace becausethe fumes could be noxious.

Four

Don’t burn trash, as though yourfireplace were a household incinerator. Styrofoamcups, empty containers, boxesprinted with colored ink, and plastic wraps are a fewof the many items thatcan create a hazardous combination of poisonous fumes.

Five

There are several reasons youshouldn’t burn colored paper or paper in general,other than the exception ofusing a bit of black and white newspaper to get a firestarted. The colored inkused to print magazines, newspaper inserts, and wrappingpaper can releasetoxic fumes when they are burned. Another problem is thatpaper burns rapidly,and flames could go up the chimney and ignite the creosotedeposits in thechimney lining. Chimney fires are very dangerous. In addition, asection ofpaper could float up and out of the chimney, propelled by the hot air, andcause combustible materials to ignite, including possibly the roof.

Six

Never use accelerants to startyour fireplace. Lighter fluid, kerosene, and gasolineare all highly flammableand can produce large, unexpected flare-ups that spreadthe fire into your homeand potentially on you.

Seven

Do not burn a Christmas tree orany type of evergreen in your fireplace. Evergreenscontain resin that burnsquickly and produces embers that pop and can rise upthrough the chimney ontothe roof.

Eight

Don’t use your fireplace forburning charcoal or coal. Use those products in youroutdoor barbeque grill.These fuels burn far hotter than firewood, and the safetemperature levels inyour chimney and fireplace can be exceeded. Thesematerials also produce a lotmore deadly carbon monoxide than wood produces.Carbon monoxide is odorless,colorless, and tasteless. It’s important to havecarbon monoxide detectors inyour home, if you have a fireplace, so that you andyour family can get neededwarning in the event too much carbon monoxide isreleased.

Nine

Finally, don’t burn cloth orclothing in your fireplace or in your wood-burning stove.Not only does it smell bad, but clothingproduces an excess amount of smoke andsoot that will end up adding to thecreosote in your chimney lining. Because clothburns so hot, the likelihood ofa chimney fire starting is increased.

Now that you know what not toburn, here’s a quick answer to what you shouldburn: Use only seasoned firewoodin your fireplace and wood stove. Contact us atChimney Solutions if you need achimney inspection or cleaning, especially ifyou’ve been burning any of the abovenine items listed.Stop in and seeus at 1155 McFarland 400Drive, or reach us by phone with any questions at 770-255-1300.