12 Principle Do's and Don'ts of Using A Wood Burning Stove

Wood Burning Stove, Fire, Fire Prevention

12 Principle Do's and Don'ts of Using A Wood Burning Stove

While wood stoves do a great job at heating smaller areas of the home, using them as a supplementary source of heat has led to an alarming – and growing – number of fires traceable to careless installation or misuse. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) estimates that wood stoves cause over 4,000 residential fires every year.

If you own a wood stove that you use to heat your home, know that it is a serious fire hazard and take the proper precautions to keep your home and your family safe:

The Do’s:

DO—make sure there is enough clearance between the stove and combustible materials, including floors, walls and ceilings.

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 nearby window a crack for ventilation.

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

The Don'ts:

DON’T—extend the stove pipe through a wall or ceiling unless there is no possible alternative.

DON’T—connect a wood stove to a fireplace chimney unless the fireplace has been properly sealed off.

DON’T—connect a wood stove to a chimney serving another appliance burning other fuels.

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.

As long as you follow these 12 principles and continue to maintain and inspect your wood stove, you are significantly decreasing the chances of suffering a devastating house fire.


Make sure your local Rockford Mutual agent is aware of your wood stove so they can provide you with the best coverage on your Homeowners Policy.

Source: https://www.iii.org/article/wood-stove-safety

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Amy Casey
Social Media & Communications Specialist
Amy joined Rockford Mutual in January of 2017 with an Associates Degree in Marketing. Amy has a great understanding of insurance in general as she has obtained her Associate in General Insurance designation.