The Fire Is So Delightful: Firewood This Winter 2013

LongIsland.com

Many Long Islanders enjoy their fireplaces this winter. There are many places to purchase firewood, but also we need to be careful this winter season.

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If you are a lucky Long Islander with a fireplace, this winter you get to enjoy the warmth of a fire in your home. If you have a gas fireplace, you are lucky enough to not need wood, but for wood burning fireplaces there are many key details you need to take into account this winter.

You need to make sure your chimney is clean as to prevent a fire. There are many chimney cleaners on Long Island that can help with their services.

In addition, the U.S. Fire Administration offers safety tips on keeping your home safe while using a fireplace. Here are a few:

  • Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
  • Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
  • Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
  • Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.
  • Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
  • Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
  • Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
In addition, you may want to chop your own work for your fireplace, however, it needs to be seasoned. This can take at least 2 years! According to WikiHow, there are eight steps in the wood seasoning process:
  • Before drying, know the properties of your wood.
  • Gather and stack wood at the proper time of year (usually summer).
  • Chop wood into 6-8inch logs.
  • Store wood outside.
  • Store wood so that it is not directly touching the ground.
  • All stacks of wood to stay away from walls as to allow air flow.
  • Ensure that the top of the wood is covered to allow rain or snow to run off and not soak the wood.
  • Check the wood for dryness

If you follow the above steps, you will have your own firewood for your home all winter! But, don't move wood from another state to New York. The DEC has set a regulation not allowing firewood from out -of-state into New York. There is a potential hazard that can hurt our trees through insects that are brought into New York. Be sure to buy from one of our local businesses if you cannot season your own.

There are many places on Long Island where you can purchase wood this winter:

Do you enjoy your fireplace this winter? Have any fireplace tips? Tell us in the comments below!

 

Sources: 

WIkiHow - How to Season Firewood

DEC -Firewood and Invasive Insect

U.S. Fire Administration - Fireplace and Home Fire Safety

Videos Courtesy of MonkeySee.com's Youtube Channel and U.S. Fire Administration

 

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