Holiday Wood-Burning Tips

Twinkling lights, soft songs, green, gold and red garland, and the glow of a crackling fire are a few favourite things that help to create an atmosphere of peace and joy over the holidays.

If you are one of many who burn wood to heat your home, or just to put you in the Christmas spirit, Environment Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour ask that you keep the Burn it Smart program in mind. The two departments are among several organizations behind the program.

The following are a few suggestions from the program for protecting yourself and the environment this holiday season.

BURN BETTER
Wood smoke is unburned fuel and is toxic. Carbon monoxide, particulates like PM-10, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde are just some of the many harmful bi-products of wood smoke. In high concentrations, these toxins can trigger respiratory problems, heart disease and even cancer. Children, the elderly and people with cardiovascular disease or lung diseases, such as emphysema and asthma, are especially vulnerable to these pollutants.

Wood-smoke emissions can be reduced by up to 90 per cent by adopting more efficient wood-burning practices. These include replacing or upgrading your old wood burning stove or fireplace with a more modern and energy-efficient system. Make sure the system meets Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards. These new stoves, fireplaces or inserts burn smoke, resulting in less air pollution, more heat, and a safer, more economical system.

SMALL FIRES SAVE SMOKE
Burn small, hot fires. A smoldering fire creates more smoke and cooks the wood rather than burning it. More smoke creates more creosote build-up and generates more air pollution. The size of your wood stove makes a difference too. Make sure it's the right size for the area you want to heat.

WOOD RULES
Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood that has been stored outside, off the ground and under a protective covering for at least six months. Bring in only as much as is needed to reduce the chance of allergy-causing mould spores from circulating indoors. For more efficient burning, split the wood into pieces that are between 10 and 15 centimetres (4-6 inches) in diameter.

BE ENERGY WISE
A well-sealed, well-insulated and properly ventilated home will reduce energy needs. This will not only cut down on pollution, regardless of the fuel source, but it will be cheaper too.

GO TO THE PROS
Any new stove or fireplace should be professionally installed. Make sure your existing unit is inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a technician certified under the Wood Energy Technical Training program.

BURN SAFE TIPS

• Start a fire with newspaper and dry kindling. Gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starters or a propane torch are dangerous and should never be used to start a fire.

• Sparks in hot ashes can easily start a fire. Remove ashes from your stove or fireplace regularly. Do not put them in your green bin. Store the ashes in a covered metal container in a safe area away from the side of your house.

• Keep all household items -- such as drapes, furniture, newspaper and books -- away from the heat, and to avoid stray sparks from your woodstove or fireplace.

• Never burn wet or green wood; driftwood; particle-board; plywood; garbage, such as plastic, Styrofoam, cardboard or wrapping paper; painted, stained or pressure-treated wood; or glossy magazines.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms, as required by the National Fire Code of Canada, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

ABOUT THE BURN IT SMART PROGRAM
The Burn it Smart program is a team effort by the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels of government, as well as the hearth industry and national and local partners. Participants in the program include organizations such as the Annapolis Valley Home Builders Association, Environment Canada, Fire Prevention Canada and the Canadian Lung Association. Now represented in 28 regions across Canada, the Burn it Smart program is designed to encourage Canadians who heat with wood, or use it for recreational purposes, to adopt safer and more environmentally friendly wood-burning habits.

More information on the Burn it Smart program is available on the Web site at www.burnitsmart.org , by calling toll-free 1-866-838- 5661 or by contacting one the following program co-ordinators:

Hal Dobbelsteyn Department of Energy - Energy Utilization

Phone: 902-424-8174
E-mail: [email protected]

Elizabeth Mason Atlantic Wood Energy Technicians Association

Phone: 902-225-7463
E-mail: [email protected]

Terry Watters Annapolis Valley Home Builders Association Phone: 902-542-3518 Toll-free 1-877-722-2842 E-mail: [email protected]