Urgent warning for log burner owners to buy £10 item to prevent catastrophe

As Christmas approaches, the idea of sitting by a toasty log burner may be increasingly appealing. However, they come with major consequences which can be easily prevented.

Having the correct alarms in place is essential for protecting your household in the event of a mishap. Wood burner expert, Louis Boothman, from Surrey Wood Burners advises: “A carbon monoxide detector is compulsory with any wood-burning stove. We recommend a 10-year shelf life model, installed no closer than 1 metre and no further than 3 metres from the stove.”

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas that is produced when fuels like wood are burned without enough oxygen. If a log burner is not properly installed, maintained, or ventilated, CO can build up in the home - the outcome of this can be fatal.

Additionally, it’s vital to check that the batteries in your smoke alarms are functioning properly.

These simple precautions can make all the difference in keeping your home safe.

Bootham also recommends purchasing a high quality, new log burner, ensuring that your property can allow it. He says: “All stoves manufactured since 2022 should conform to the EcoDesign standard. It’s also important should you live within a Smoke Control Area that the stove you are looking to purchase holds a Defra Exemption.”

Every year, the search for a log burner on Google surges in November, gaining 445,000 searches in the past month alone. However, for those who already own one, it is essential to properly prepare it before use each year. Bootham says removing ash from the previous winter is important, as well as checking that sliders and dials operate properly. 

Damage such as cracks in the chimney, fireplace, or stove can create openings for hazardous sparks to escape, potentially leading to structural problems and increasing the risk of a fire spreading.

For people who are considering purchasing one this Christmas, the way that you arrange the room plays a crucial role in the safe operation of a log burner. Proper ventilation is not only vital for the burner’s efficiency but also for maintaining healthy airflow for everyone in the space.

With the icy temperatures set to be maintained throughout December, log burners may be in use daily. Bootham stresses that they are safe to use every day, as long as they are used correctly.

He says: “Whether the stove is used occasionally or regularly makes no difference in its safety if the correct procedure of operation is followed.”