NJDEP recommends the following guidelines and precautions to burn firewood safely and efficiently as a home heat source.
* Allow wood to season for 6 months before burning it.
* Use a wood moisture meter to test the moisture content of wood and look for moisture content below 20 percent.
* Protect the wood from rain and snow by stacking wood neatly off the ground and covering it.
* Start fires with newspaper and dry kindling. Keep fires burning hot.
* Regularly remove ashes to ensure proper airflow.
* Never burn garbage, cardboard, plastics, wrapping materials, painted materials or pressure-treated wood in your stove or fireplace.
* Keep anything flammable - including drapes, furniture, newspapers and books - far away from any wood-burning appliance.
* Keep an accessible and recently inspected fire extinguisher nearby.
* Consider using an indoor air HEPA filter in the same room as a stove or fireplace. Studies indicate these filters can help to reduce indoor particle pollution.
For more information on wood burning in New Jersey, visit this link.