| One third of homes in the United States are | | | | for what you get. I believe a courtesy to tell the |
| heated with fuel-fired heat. This refers to | | | | provider that is how payment will be made. Know |
| fireplaces, wood burning stoves, inserts and other | | | | what you are buying, a cord, a rick, or a face |
| fuel-fired appliances. According to the United | | | | cord. A cord is 4x4x8 foot. A rick is understood |
| States Fire Administration, 36% of residential | | | | as 2x4x8 foot or one-half of a cord. A face cord |
| home fires in rural areas are caused by this type | | | | has many possible meanings. It still measures like |
| of heating. So can we heat our homes without | | | | a cord but the length of the wood cut varies, 12 |
| burning down the house? Yes! | | | | to 18 inches in length. So the number of four foot |
| Properly maintaining our fireplaces and stoves, | | | | high by four foot long stacks will change to the |
| burning the right fuels, protecting the inside and | | | | length of wood cut provided. Just remember the |
| outside of our homes will allow us to safely and | | | | stack should measure 128 cubic feet. Define this |
| efficiently heat our homes. Here we will be looking | | | | prior to delivery. This is a standard measurement |
| at the maintenance of fireplaces. | | | | in the industry. Unstacked wood invites all sorts of |
| Have your fireplace or wood stove inspected by | | | | unfriendly critters from snakes, spiders, and mice |
| a certified chimney specialist annually. This is the | | | | to even termites. Stack the wood off the ground |
| most important thing we can do to stop the | | | | by simply turning wood pieces long ways and |
| potential fires. The specialist will look for a variety | | | | stacking the wood on top. Commercial log holders |
| of indicators: creosote buildup in the flue or stove | | | | are available for sale made of pipe or angle steel. |
| pipe, loose or missing bricks or grout in the | | | | If you are bringing in 2 to 3 cords use something |
| masonry structure of hearth and flue, and proper | | | | easy like a t-post on each end to stack against. |
| cleaning and reinstallation of the chimney cap. | | | | Also for convenience use a log holder by the |
| Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never | | | | fireplace in the house. Bring in an arm full, put it in |
| restrict air supply to fireplaces. When a gas | | | | the log holder and you will be good to go for the |
| starter is used it needs to be checked for proper | | | | night. Proper stacking will allow for good air |
| valves, connections and pipe. Fireplace inserts | | | | circulation of the wood pile. Also, use an |
| need maintenance by checking all internal | | | | inexpensive blue tarp to protect from rain or |
| components: door seal, firebricks, fans, and flue | | | | snow. |
| vent pipe if used. Most importantly are the | | | | Knowing what to look for when buying wood can |
| Smoke Alarm and a Carbon Monoxide Detector | | | | be helpful. Four indicators of good dry wood are: |
| battery check every 6 months. Please remember | | | | color, bark, checks and touch of the wood. Most |
| that detectors are a must, but an annual chimney | | | | wood will change color to a gray when drying. |
| check can help prevent carbon monoxide from | | | | This will be most evident when wood is seasoned |
| entering the home in the first place. The best | | | | for longer than one year. The bark is dry and |
| resource to find a professional is Chimney Safety | | | | easily falls off the piece of wood. The ends of the |
| Institute of America ( The site gives you a handy | | | | cut pieces have checks in them. This is where the |
| locater by zip code for local professionals. | | | | piece itself looks like it is breaking apart. The |
| Another safety consideration is the storage of | | | | wood itself feels dry to the touch. Moisture |
| your firewood. While this may seem somewhat | | | | content should not exceed 15 to 20 percent. This |
| simplistic, by using good practices your wood will | | | | can be accomplished by buying in the spring, |
| be in good order and ready for easy usage. The | | | | stacking and letting the wood continue to dry |
| first temptation when it is being delivered is to | | | | throughout the summer months. |
| have the wood dumped in the backyard | | | | Have the fireplace or stove checked by a |
| somewhere and bring it into the house as needed. | | | | professional. Use smoke and carbon monoxide |
| The risk you run is of not knowing the true | | | | detectors. Buy quality split seasoned wood, stack |
| amount of product received. Typically your wood | | | | it and use log holders and enjoy a warm cup of |
| provider will, for an additional fee, stack the wood. | | | | cocoa in front of your beautiful fireplace. |
| This allows you to get a tape measure and pay | | | | |