Christmas Day is the most common day of the year when chimney fires occur! Christmas wrapping paper and paper plates from the Christmas dinner are normally the accelerator! Please remember, your fireplace is not a household incinerator. Read on for a list of 7 items you should never burn in your fireplace and the reasons why:
Paper or Cardboard– The inks used in wrapping paper, newspaper inserts, glossy magazines, pizza boxes and other items contain metals that give off toxic fumes when burned. Paper burns very quickly and can easily float up the chimney. This is dangerous since flames that enter the chimney can ignite the creosote deposits in the flue. Furthermore, the hot fumes and pieces of burning paper can rise through the chimney and ignite flammable materials
outside the home.
Processed Wood – Never burn painted, stained, treated wood or manufactured wood such as plywood and particleboard. These items contain various chemicals, which produce toxic and carcinogen fumes when burned.
Dryer Lint Do not burn dryer lint. Dryer lint may be an effective fire starter,
but it can release toxic chemicals into your home and up your chimney.
Polypropylenes & Polystyrenes Do not burn any kind of plastics and Styrofoam. A toxic cocktail of fumes exists when burning items like Styrofoam cups, plastic utensils, and remnants of household products in empty containers. Remember most, if not all, of these items can be recycled!
Fire Accelerants- Never use accelerants like gasoline, kerosene, or barbecue lighter fluid to start a fire in your fireplace. These highly flammable substances can produce unexpectedly large flare-ups.
Coal or Charcoal- Do not burn coal or charcoal in your fireplace. These fuels burn much hotter than wood and may exceed the temperature levels that are safe for your fireplace and chimney. They also produce much more carbon monoxide than properly seasoned wood does.
Evergreens- Do not burn the Christmas tree! Your tree, wreath, and other evergreen decorations are not safe to burn in your fireplace. Some may enjoy the aroma and the sound, but dry evergreens are loaded with resin that burns very quickly and ‘pops’ producing embers that can rise through the chimney and start chimney fires.
Merry Christmas and A Safe Happy New Year!
Rhonda B.
