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Things You Should Never Burn in Your Fireplace

Do you enjoy spending time in front of the fireplace during the winter? Who doesn’t! But while you are building and maintaining your fire, you should be weary of burning certain non-fire friendly items. Burning certain items in your fireplace can create hazardous conditions. In this blog post, we will discuss some things that you should never burn in your fireplace.

1) Treated Wood

Many people use treated wood to build their decks and fences. It is very important that you do not burn this in your fireplace because it contains chemicals such as arsenic, chromium, copper, and other chemicals. When these chemicals reach high temperatures through burning in the firebox, they can release toxic fumes and leave residue behind. Wood treated with glue or preservatives should also not be burned in your fireplace.

2) Cardboard

Cardboard boxes are not built to withstand high temperatures. If you put paper or cardboard in your fireplace, the heat will cause the chemical adhesives of these items to release into your living space. Even worse, they can produce dense black smoke that is difficult to see through and contains harmful toxins and carcinogens.

3) Wet Firewood

It is important that all firewood is dry before it goes into your fireplace. Wet or unseasoned wood does not burn easily and can cause creosote buildup in your chimney. Not only is this extremely dangerous, but it can also be expensive to clean up and repair if left unattended.

4) Trash

Trash should never be burned in your fireplace. Trash does not combust easily and will create a lot of ash, smoke, and residue. This can cause a lot of damage to your chimney as well as the fireplace itself if left regularly. Plastic trash is the most dangerous as it produces carcinogens and toxins when burned.

Also, burning rubber trash can produce extremely dangerous fumes and residue in your fireplace. This includes items such as foam cushions, industrial rubber mats, rubberized horse blankets and shoes, and other types of rubber products that have been treated with chemicals.

At the end of the day, it is always wise to think twice before burning anything other than wood in your fireplace. If you avoid throwing these harmful things in your fireplace, you can rest easy knowing that you are not causing harm to your family.

For more tips, tricks, and news, be sure to check our Energy Smart New Homes blog often!

By Energy Smart New Homes 1-24-2022