How to prevent burns caused by direct contact with wood stoves

Thinking about buying a wood stove to heat your home during the winter months? It is an excellent choice, but it is also important to be aware of the risks associated with its use. One of the biggest dangers is the risk of burns and injuries caused by direct contact with the stove or its hot parts.

In this post, we will provide you with information on how to prevent these types of injuries and enjoy a safe and comfortable experience when using a wood stove. Here we go!

Burn and Injury Risks from Wood Stoves

Here, we will discuss the most common risks associated with the use of wood-burning appliances.

Extreme temperatures of stove parts. Stove parts that are in direct contact with the fire reach extreme temperatures, which can result in severe burns if touched or handled.
Accidental contact with hot parts. Even if care is taken when handling the stove, there may be times when accidental contact with hot parts occurs, which can result in burns and injury.
Refueling firewood. Opening the appliance door to add more wood exposes the stove surface and internal parts to a stream of cool air, which can cause fuel particles to ignite. This can cause a sudden and dangerous flare-up, which can result in severe burns if too close. It is important to ensure that wood is only added to the stove when there are embers rather than flames. Refueling should also be avoided when there is wind or drafts in the house, as this can fan the flames.

How to Prevent Burns and Injuries from Wood Stoves

To prevent burns and injuries, certain safety precautions should be taken. Here are some important tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience when using a wood stove:

Install your wood stove properly. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the appliance safely. See our installation tips for Panadero stoves here.
Use thermal gloves and handling tools. Thermal gloves and handling tools can help prevent burns when handling the stove or its hot parts. Handling tools allow you to safely add wood to the stove and adjust parts without touching them directly with your hands.

Keep children and pets away. Children and pets are especially vulnerable to burns and injury. Keeping them away from the stove and supervising them when they are near the stove can help prevent accidents.
Do not overload the stove. It is important not to overload the stove with too much wood, as this can cause the stove’s internal parts to overheat.
Clean the stove regularly. Keeping the stove clean and free of ashes and leftover charcoal can help prevent accidents.

Additional tips to prevent burns and injuries

In addition to the tips mentioned above, here are some additional tips that may be interesting to keep in mind:

Do not leave objects near the stove: It is important to keep objects, especially flammable objects, away from the stove.
Do not use flammable liquids to light the stove: You should never use flammable liquids such as gasoline or alcohol to light the stove. Do not use newspaper either.
Have a fire extinguisher: Having a fire extinguisher at home can help put out a fire in an emergency.
Make sure the stove is off before you leave: It is important to make sure the stove is completely off before you leave the house or go to bed.

For more information on safety rules for using a wood stove, click here.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us! We hope this post has served as a guide. Take a look at our blog and find solutions and recommendations to help you with your fireplace or wood stove.

Visit our online store for Panadero wood stoves. If you have any questions or need help choosing the right stove, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you.

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