Natural Gas vs. Wood Fireplace Safety

Safety Equipment

• One of the major dangers associated with wood-burning fireplaces is the accidental ignition of nearby fuel sources. Errant sparks can lodge in flammable materials, igniting an uncontrolled fire. Installing a spark arrestor on your chimney and a screen in front of your fireplace will help contain sparks inside and outside your home. Another common fire hazard results from birds, squirrels and other nesting animals building their nests in the chimney. Installing a guard device at the mouth of the chimney will prevent animals from nesting in your chimney. Natural gas fireplaces also benefit from the installation of a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning natural gas that can build up in your home if the fireplace is malfunctioning or improperly vented.

Safe Operation

• A number of factors can influence the safe operation of a wood-burning fireplace. Over time, flammable creosote builds inside your chimney as you use your fireplace. Large fires can ignite this material inside your chimney, potentially spreading to your roof. To avoid this hazard, keep fires in your wood-burning fireplace at a moderate level, and have your chimney cleaned regularly. If your gas-burning fireplace is vented through a chimney or other outlet, make sure that these vents are free of obstructions prior to use, to ensure that carbon monoxide and other toxic gases do not build up in your home.

Habits

• While your wood or gas fireplace is in operation, keep the damper open to allow the fire's fuel to burn efficiently and encourage waste gases to vent properly. Do not use gasoline or other flammable solvents to start a fire in your fireplace, because they can vaporize into an explosive gas. Avoid burning materials other than wood or plain paper in your fireplace, to prevent the release of toxic substances and prevent damage to the fireplace. If you use fire starting logs in your fireplace, use only one at a time to prevent an excessive buildup of heat from damaging the fireplace.

Gas Safety

• One of the biggest safety concerns associated with natural gas heating appliances is a gas leak. Natural gas contains an artificial scent so that you can detect a leak from the smell of gas in the air. If you detect a strong odor of gas in your home, avoid turning any electric devices on or off, evacuate your home, and dial 911.