What are the dangers of a fireplace?
- Not having your flue and chimney inspected each heating season. ...
- Forgetting to open the damper, or closing it too soon. ...
- Using charcoal in a fireplace. ...
- Not using a screen or glass enclosure. ...
- Allowing children or pets to get too close to the fireplace (or carelessly getting too close yourself). ...
Are wood burning fireplaces safe?
Wood-burning stoves are designed to have the fire in a well-ventilated area. This means that when you build your fires or when they burn down, it is safe for children and pets because there will not be any embers left in the stove after being able to leave them behind in less safe fireplace settings.
Are interior gas fireplaces safe?
Gas Fireplace Safety Precautions. Gas fireplaces are generally safe when it comes to toxic fumes, including carbon monoxide. But still, it is a good idea to have a detector installed near the fireplace. This is especially true if you have a vent-free type. The detector will help you to keep track of the level of carbon monoxide in your home; if ...
Are gas fireplaces environmentally friendly?
They are environmentally friendly because, unlike standard wood fireplaces, they reduce energy loss from the house. Also, the ethanol is made from renewable sources such as corn, potatoes, and ...
What are the 3 most common dangers of having a fireplace?
They are the source of risks of all kinds, from pollution to fire hazards.Woodsmoke Is Harmful. If you have a wood-burning fireplace in your home, you may want to pause before throwing another log on the fire. ... Polluting Your Home and Environment. ... Fire Hazard. ... Stay Safe and Prevent Hazards.
Is a fireplace a fire hazard?
Yes, fireplaces are capable of starting a house fire! Many people don't realize the possible dangers fireplaces pose. These dangers can be caused by such things as lack of maintenance or incorrect installation.
What is dangerous at a fireplace?
One of the biggest dangers of fireplaces is also one of the hardest to detect: carbon monoxide. “Carbon monoxide is the odorless, colorless toxic byproduct of burning fuel,” says Ian Tong, MD, chief medical officer for Doctors on Demand.
Is it safe to have a fireplace in your home?
“If someone living in your home has a history of lung disease, such as asthma, try to avoid using of wood-burning fireplaces and wood-burning stoves,” says Dr. Cain. “Even healthy people may experience temporary symptoms from exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution that a wood fire creates.”
How do I know if my fireplace is safe?
How to Make Sure Your Fireplace & Chimney Are SafeThere's no bird nest or debris buildup on the cap.There are no tree limbs above or near the chimney.The mortar and bricks on the chimney aren't crumbling or missing.The chimney rises at least 2 feet above where it exits the roof.More items...
Can you leave your fireplace on overnight?
You should never leave your wood-burning fireplace lit overnight. First, because it's a significant fire hazard, but also because fire creates carbon monoxide, which is both colorless and odorless. While carbon monoxide tends to be associated more with gas-burning fireplaces, any fire emits carbon monoxide.
Why do fireplaces make you sleepy?
Fireplaces can make you sleepy by generating warmth that relaxes your muscles and from the white noise generated by the burning firewood. Fires are also usually lit at nighttime, after the last meal of the day has been consumed and darkness has fallen, which also both trigger your body to go to sleep.
Is it safe to sit by a gas fireplace?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.
How close can you sit next to a fireplace?
You want to allow for a comfortable level of heat on a chilly night, so keep at least 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) of space between seating and the fire.
Is it safe to have a fireplace in bedroom?
Safety solutions You'll need to prepare for two potential risks arising from your new bedroom fireplace: carbon monoxide and escaping embers. The first is solved by installing a carbon monoxide detector.
Why do people want fireplaces?
One of the most commonly overlooked benefits of installing a fireplace in a home is that you are gaining an additional source of heat that can significantly reduce your monthly heating bills in the winter.
How do you use a fireplace safely?
Safety Measures: Always use fireplace tools, not your hands, for handling burning logs. Do not use a fireplace as a furnace. A fireplace should be used for no more than five hours at a time. Use a screen in front of the fire to prevent possible sparks from causing a house fire.
How many house fires are caused by fireplaces?
Fireplaces or chimneys were involved in approximately three in 10 home fires involving heating equipment in 2014–2018.
Is it safe to have a wood burning fireplace?
Burning wood in your fireplace all winter may feel cozy and keep you warm, but smoke from those fires can also cause health problems. Wood fires release tiny particles that get into the lungs and can harm people with underlying health conditions. This can affect the lungs and the heart as well.
Can I leave a fire burning in the fireplace?
Never leave a fire in a fireplace unattended. Before leaving the house or going to bed, make certain to fully extinguish the fire. Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them and note that ashes can take several days to cool completely.
Does wood burning fireplace produce carbon monoxide?
The direct answer to the question above is: yes. Your gas, pellet or wood burning stove, insert or fireplace will produce carbon monoxide. All heating appliances should be vented to the outside. This is why it's always a good idea to have any heating equipment checked by a professional prior to the heating season.
Which is better, gas or electric fireplace?
Gas and electric fireplaces are better overall for your health and the environment; but if wood is your choice fuel, using your fireplace responsibly, keeping it clean and having it inspected yearly will reduce smoke emissions and health risks considerably. US States. Alabama – AL. Alaska – AK. Arizona – AZ.
Why install a fireplace insert in an open fireplace?
Having a fireplace insert installed in your open-hearth fireplace reduces smoke emission and air pollutants. They offer the beauty of a fireplace, but the efficiency of a stove.
How to keep smoke out of a fire?
Keep your damper open. Hot air from the fire goes up the chimney and brings the smoke with it. A closed damper stops the hot air from going up the chimney, thus sending the smoke into your home, and producing little heat. Use hardwood like maple, birch or oak instead of softwood. Hardwood logs emit fewer air pollutants.
What is the purpose of installing a fireplace insert?
Having a fireplace insert installed in your open-hearth fireplace reduces smoke emission and air pollutants. They offer the beauty of a fireplace, but the efficiency of a stove. Install smoke detectors in your home, and at least one carbon monoxide (CO) detector.
How much less smoke does a new stove emit?
That said, new stoves and fireplaces that are EPA-certified release 80% less smoke, pollute by 90% less, and burn one third less wood than older models and models that are not EPA-certified. They get rid of the smoke and combustion by-products before they even make it to your chimney.
What are the effects of smoking wood?
Over a long period, inhaling wood smoke can cause chronic lung disease and cancer. Over a short period, it can cause headaches and irritations in your eyes, sinuses, lungs, and throat.
Why are children at risk for wood smoke?
Children are more at risk of developing health issues from wood smoke than adults because their respiratory systems are still in development. They also inhale more air since they are generally more active than adults. Babies and pregnant women are also at higher risk.
What are the dangers of a fireplace?
One of the main concerns of having a wood-burning fireplace in your home is the fire hazard it creates. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, 21,200 of the fires in 2012 were caused by fires in a fireplace, chimney or chimney connector. Chimney fires are especially a concern because they are harder to detect than a fire that gets out of hand in the fireplace itself. Some signs of chimney fires include: 1 A low, rumbling sound 2 Loud popping or cracking noise 3 Hot, overpowering smell
How do you know if a chimney is a fire?
Some signs of chimney fires include: A low, rumbling sound. Loud popping or cracking noise. Hot, overpowering smell. The damage they cause can be extensive, costly and dangerous. They burn at temperatures around 2,000 degrees or higher, depending on the type of chimney.
How bad is wood smoke?
The particles in woodsmoke are smaller than what your lungs are able to filter out. The Cleveland Clinic explained that particles with a diameter smaller than 10 micrometers are the most harmful because they can become lodged in your lungs and may enter your bloodstream. The particles in woodsmoke are typically about 2.5 micrometers. The EPA warned that long-term exposure to PM 2.5 has been linked to cancer.
What are the harmful gases released from wood burning?
Harmful particles released through combustion aren't the only thing you should worry about. The EPA explained toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene are also released when wood is burned. Formaldehyde exposure could lead to coughing and other throat irritation, wheezing and bronchitis.
How many chimney fires were there in 2012?
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, 21,200 of the fires in 2012 were caused by fires in a fireplace, chimney or chimney connector. Chimney fires are especially a concern because they are harder to detect than a fire that gets out of hand in the fireplace itself. Some signs of chimney fires include:
What is the environmental impact of burning wood?
Haze is another environmental concern connected to burning wood. This is the reduced visibility that is created when sunlight hits particles in the air, such as those given off during combustion, the EPA explained.
What percentage of homes were built in the 1970s with fireplaces?
According to SFGate, 36 percent of new homes built in the 1970s had fireplaces. In just four decades, that percentage nearly doubled. If you decide to buy a home with a fireplace, make sure you take extra precautions to keep you and your family safe. If someone in your home has respiratory problems or a history of lung disease, ...
Why are wood burning fireplaces banned?
Reed notes that some cities have actually banned new wood-burning fireplaces, too, because they contribute to air pollution. Roydhouse suggests that if you’re worried about pollution, there are better options than traditional open fireplaces like gas-fueled inserts or a EPA-certified wood burning stove.
What does a fireplace do?
A fireplace can add beauty, character, and drama to almost any space, creating what Reed calls an “irreplaceable atmosphere.”. But before you get too carried with fantasies of romantic nights snuggling in front of a fire with a glass of wine, know this: Many homeowners admit the realities of owning a fireplace rarely meet their expectations.
What is the efficiency rating of a fireplace?
According to Chuck Roydhouse, president of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the efficiency rating of a standard wood-burning fireplace is, at best, around 20 percent.
Does wood smoke affect air quality?
And with that smoke comes dangerous pollutants. Even a small amount of smoke from a wood-burning fireplace can cause air quality problems.
Can gas fireplaces release carbon monoxide?
However, know that even gas fireplaces can release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other dangerous particulates, says Marla Mock, vice president of operations for Aire Serv, a heating and cooling-focused site owned by parent-company Neighborly.
Is a syringe harmful to humans?
While all of these can be harmful to humans in large doses, they especially pose a health risk for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues, like allergies or asthma.
Is it bad to have a fireplace in your house?
They can be a pain to take care of, too. Apart from air-quality issues, fireplaces bring a whole slew of other safety risks into your home including (but not limited to) an accidental fire spread, smoke inhalation, burns, and carbon monoxide leaks.
What is so hazardous about a wood-burning fire?
The thing that people don’t recognize is that when you have a wood-burning stove or a fire indoors, it releases a lot of unseen pollutants that could be hazardous to your health. Simply put, there are thousands of chemical constituents present. Burning wood releases particles, some of which are ultrafine and less than 1 micron in size (a micron is a unit of measurement that is 1 millionth of a meter) that may be hazardous to heart health. The smaller the particles, the easier they move past the lungs and travel to the rest of the body. It turns out, while the lungs are very efficient at filtering particulate constituents emanating from wood-burning furnaces, they may not be able to filter out the very small ultrafines as well as other toxic gases.
Who is most at risk?
People with pre-existing cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions. Asthmatic attacks may worsen for patients with existing asthma. They could also get lower respiratory tract infections – bronchitis has been well-recognized. Someone with pre-existing cardiac conditions could experience heart attacks, strokes or even heart failure.
Is burning wood bad for your heart?
Burning wood releases particles, some of which are ultrafine and less than 1 micron in size (a micron is a unit of measurement that is 1 millionth of a meter) that may be hazardous to heart health. The smaller the particles, the easier they move past the lungs and travel to the rest of the body. It turns out, while the lungs are very efficient ...
Is prolonged exposure to COPD a good idea?
On the other hand, if you have a predisposing condition, for instance asthma, COPD or an underlying cardiovascular condition that makes you vulnerable, prolonged exposure might not be such a good idea. A few hours on occasion might be okay, but continued daily exposure might pose significant health hazards.
Can you have a wood burning fire overnight?
If you happen to be completely healthy and you don’t have any predisposing conditions, having a wood-burning fire overnight or even for a few hours is not going to pose any excessive health hazards.
Can lungs filter out toxic gases?
It turns out, while the lungs are very efficient at filtering particulate constituents emanating from wood-burning furnaces, they may not be able to filter out the very small ultrafines as well as other toxic gases.
Is wood burning a hazard?
If you’re in the habit of using this day after day, or if you rely on wood-burning to generate power, that could pose a potential hazard.