Important Safety Information
Re Wood Burning Stoves
by Dick Franklin

Picking the right kind of wood is "essential. You want seasoned
hardwood, wood that's been kept dry outside six months at least. You
want wood that burns with the least amount of smoke and the least
moisture content, because that prevents buildup in your chimney, and
that's what tends to catch on fire with a wood stove."
     Safer woods include oak, hickory and ash. Do Not burn pine and cedar. Any wood can create dangerous sparks, causing the flames in the house. It is important to have a screen in front of the stove.
     Be sure and have a flame-resistant carpet in the area. Move everything away from around the stove that can catch fire. This includes including furniture, toys and draperies. You want to have a good, clear space around your wood stove.
     Keep a fire extinguisher close by, and putting a carbon monoxide
detector at least 10 feet away. A gate to keep kids and pets away is
also a good idea.
     Wood stoves have hot surfaces so there's a real risk of a contact
burn, so just as you protect your stairwell if you have toddlers in
the home, put up a gate around this hot surface too."
     But the biggest wood-stove hazard is Chimney fires. Byproducts from the smoke can build up inside your chimney and ignite. She urges
consumers to "get a licensed professional to come inspect your chimney and clean it once a year or when needed."
     Families must get the facts about wood stoves before a tragedy occurs.When it does, it happens so quickly, you don't have time to think."
     Do have a professional install your wood stove, or have it inspected
if you do it yourself. Dump the stove's ashes in a metal bin with a
cover, outside, away from any wood decks and your house. Ashes can
remain hot up to a week after they're created. And don't burn
artificial logs, trash or wrapping paper from the holidays in them.

NEVER USE GASOLINE TO START A FIRE PERIOD!!!!

The following are very important links. Please go to them and read
them very carefully. The last one has to do with correctly building a
fire.
http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/home/home_nov05_w001.aspx
http://www.iii.org/media/publications/brochures/woodstovesafety/?printerfriendly\
=yes
http://www.csia.org/
http://www.fireplace-chimneystore.com/page/page/1580350.htm?gclid=CNXRn7WU25MCFR\
Jaxgod1DZ-gg
http://www.chimneys.com/burning_secrets/chapter_2.html