Disposing of Wood Ashes
HOW DO I SAFELY DISPOSE OF FIREPLACE ASHES?
Improper ash removal from fireplaces and wood burning stoves cause thousands of fires every year. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 9870 house fires were caused yearly (1994-1998 statistics) due to improperly discarded ashes.
Hot coals, hidden in a pile of ashes and thus well insulated, can stay hot for up to 4 days. Ancient man actually transported fire by carrying hot coals, insulated by ashes and wrapped in animal skins, from one location to another. When arriving at the next home site, rekindling a fire was easy: remove the still-hot coal, place it on a small pile of leaves and twigs, blow on the hot ember, and restart the fire.
Keep in mind that fires are still started this way, but too often it’s an accidental fire. Never empty ashes into a paper or plastic bag, cardboard box, or other similar container. The only suitable means for ash storage is a metal container with a tight fitting lid; this helps keep air from blowing through and disturbing ashes which can leave hot coals exposed for reignition. Many home fires begin from improperly stored ashes while the home’s occupants are asleep, as the evening breeze intensifies.
For optimum safety, wet the wood ashes prior to attaching the metal lid to the pail. DO NOT store your metal ash container on your deck, in your garage, or in any location that may allow heat to transfer from those hot coals to nearby flammable items. Untold wooden decks catch fire every year due to this simple oversight.
CAN YOUR ASHES
Northern Virginia’s Fairfax County has begun a homeowner safety awareness program called “Can Your Ashes” in an effort to reduce the hundreds of thousands of dollars in home damages caused each year by fireplace and wood stove ashes that have been improperly handled. Help spread the word in your community too!
FINAL DISPOSAL
Wood ash, once completely cooled, can safely be disposed of in your garden because natural firewood ash makes a great soil additive that your plants will enjoy. Just make sure you have removed any mulching materials such as dried leaves and other dried plants first, so there’s nothing to catch fire in your garden. Spray the dispersed ashes with water as an added safety precaution. Do not add ashes to your soil if you burn coal, or ashes from burned wood that was painted, stained or treated with any chemicals as these chemicals may be harmful to your soil and plants.
And remember: Can Your Ashes!
*This article copyrighted by THE FIREPLACE CHANNEL
Karen Duke is a fireplace, chimney and hearth industry expert of over 25 years in both the retail and service sectors. She is a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and has numerous hearth industry certifications. She is the founder and webmaster of http://www.TheFireplaceChannel.com and she is the co-founder and webmaster of http://www.TheVictorianFireplace.com , which is one of the largest online fireplace retailers in the world. She makes her home in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Karen’s contact information can be found on either of the above sites.
You may also be interested in the following articles:
The Benefits of Owning Wood Mini Blinds: Wood mini blinds are one variety of wood blinds for covering doors and windows. The smaller increments of a narrow slate dimension, wood mini blinds are. . . (click title to continue reading)
Caring for your Wood Furniture: There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and beauty to a home. Whether it is a thick, all-natural butchers block table, an Art Deco. . . (click title to continue reading)
The Benefits of Wood Blinds: In interior design, the blinds found on windows and doors are major decorating elements. Blinds made of wood or those with a wooden look add a. . . (click title to continue reading)
Kitchen Renovation Tips: Why Update your Countertops?: Graceful and chic are the words that you will hear when you ask any home renovators what kind of look they want for the kitchen. Surfaces,. . . (click title to continue reading)
A Look at Platform Bed Frames: A platform bed is a bed that has no box spring. It is characterized by its low profile; many people swear that they sleep better on. . . (click title to continue reading)
The Benefits of Gas Fireplace Logs: Â Everyone loves the sound of crackling logs and the red glow of golden embers. Not everyone wants to deal with the headaches of a wood-burning fireplace,. . . (click title to continue reading)