A Snowy Message From Smokey



Smokey want to say that he has enjoyed the snow but enough is enough! His friends in the NE have had their share and then some this year. However not everyone is in the same boat. I just read a story out of FL making reference that they are the only southern state with out any snow cover. With the cold and freezing temperatures the fine fuels have been killed back and are providing a lot of fine flashy fuels which is a concern to firefighters.

Smokey would also like to remind you all about a message he posted in the fall about "Hot Ashes".  Wood stove and fireplace ashes remain HOT for several days after removing them. Please be very careful and dispose of them in a proper metal container. Also be extra cautious when heating with wood.

Tip Of The Blog

Wood Stove Safety

If you're among the thousands who have succumbed to the lure of the wood burning stove,

keep in mind that the return to the "good old days" of wood stove heating can have some

old-fashioned drawbacks.

Fire hazard

The resurgence of the wood burner as a supplementary source of heat has led to an

alarming—and growing—number of fires traceable to careless installation or misuse.

The purpose of this pamphlet is to help bridge a generation gap in wood stove knowledge

by providing some basic information on the selection, installation, use and maintenance of

solid fuel heating equipment.

Here are some principal do's and don'ts:

is one of them.

DO

including floors, walls and ceilings.

—make sure there is enough clearance between the stove and combustible materials,

DO

—place the stove on a noncombustible, fire resistant base.

DO

—have a mason or other competent person inspect the chimney.

DO

—burn only dry, well-seasoned wood.

DO

—consider opening a window a crack for ventilation.

DO

—dispose of ashes in a closed metal container outside the house.

DON’T

alternative.

—extend the stove pipe through a wall or ceiling unless there is no possible

DON’T

sealed off.

—connect a wood stove to a fireplace chimney unless the fireplace has been

DON’T

fuels.

—connect a wood stove to a chimney serving another appliance burning other

DON’T

—start a stove fire with flammable fluids, such as gasoline.

DON’T

—burn trash in a stove; doing so can start a chimney fire.DON’T

—let a wood fire burn unattended or overnight.