Fire Extinguishers, Buy One!

If you have a wood burning stove or fireplace, you should have a fire extinguisher...period. My kitchen floor is singed in half a dozen places due to popping/flying embers. Don't think a fire-screen is going to protect you either, the embers fly over & around. Chances are you will never need a fire extinguisher, but better safe than sorry. Keep it in the same room as the stove, but don't store it next to the stove itself. The high heat can cause undue pressure on the tank risking a malfunction. Make sure and test your fire extinguishers every year as well.

Happy heating!

Wood Burning Stoves + 30 Percent Tax Credit

If you've been toying around with the idea of adding a wood burning stove for your home heating needs, the 2009/2010 seasons IS the time. You can realize a 30% tax credit on your next return up to $1500 per item, in this case a wood stove with at least 75% efficiency. A tax credit will reduce your taxable income dollar for dollar. There's a great Q&A on the Woodstove.com website.

This is HUGE... to draw a comparison, it's like having another child without the long term expense. :-) Parents with children realize a $1000 yearly tax credit.