Wood-Burning Stove Christmas Décor Safety Tips

Christmas is an undeniably magical time of year. When decorating our homes in festive splendour, many of us Brits love creating a cosy, Christmassy atmosphere with a gently crackling log fire in the wood-burning stove.

But while stoves provide wonderful warmth and cheer, they do need some extra safety considerations when it comes to Yuletide adornments. We need to take care to avoid any risks of our festive flair going up in flames!

In this post, well provide plenty of practical tips and advice for safely decorating around your wood-burning stove this Christmas. Following some simple precautions will ensure your festive décor is accident-free. Let’s make sure our Christmas cheer doesn’t literally go up in smoke!

The risks of Christmas décor near stoves

Firstly, it’s important to understand the general risks involved when decorative items are placed too close to any heat source – especially wood-burning stoves, which can get extremely hot.

Many Christmas decorations, trees and accessories are highly flammable. This includes plastics, fabrics, papery garlands and more. If placed too close to the stove, the heat and flames can easily cause decorations to catch alight, creating a fast-spreading fire.

What’s more, loose decorations like stockings or garlands could fall onto the hot stove surface and ignite quickly. Dry, real Christmas trees and wreaths also pose a fire hazard if situated too near the heat radiating from the stove.

During the Christmas and winter period, wood-burning stoves are often used more frequently to create a cosy atmosphere – and of course, to keep us warm. But, this increases the chances of decorative items drying out dangerously or being exposed to more heat over prolonged periods.

While we don’t want to put a damper on anyone’s Christmas cheer, it’s important to know that the consequences of Christmas decorations catching fire near a stove can be severe. At the least, you could be dealing with destroyed decorations, and in the worst case scenario, your whole home could go up in flames. It’s definitely worth taking extra precautions! And if you do want to put decorations closer to the stove for that picture-perfect Insta snap, be sure to move them to a safe distance before you light the fire.

Choosing safer decorations

When selecting festive décor for around your wood-burning stove, look for items made from non-flammable or flame-retardant materials. These include:

• Metal decorations – Tinsel, bells, baubles etc.
• Glass decorations – Baubles, beads, miniatures.
• Ceramics – Ornaments, figurines, etc.

Avoid plastics, fabrics, and papery items on or around your mantel as these can easily catch alight if touched by or placed too close to the stove.

Also consider an artificial Christmas tree over a real tree if placing closer to the stove, as these are treated with flame retardants. Ensure any lights used are modern, cool-burning LEDs – old-fashioned fairy lights can get very hot and are another fire risk.

When placing any decorations near your wood burner, leave at least a three-foot gap around the entire stove. Check the user manual for the recommended safe distance specific to your stove make and model. Never place decorations directly on or adjacent to the stove.

Christmas tree placement

One of the biggest festive décor considerations around a wood-burning stove is where to safely position your Christmas tree.

Never place the tree directly in front of or too close beside the stove. The branches and needles can quickly dry out and ignite – especially if you have a real Christmas tree. Allow ample clearance – leave at least a 3-4 foot gap, allowing even more space for larger trees.

Also, avoid positioning the tree so that any branches hang over or near the stove. If you have a real tree, check for dryness regularly and always keep the tree well-watered. Use a moisture meter if unsure. Remove the tree immediately if it seems excessively dry.

The safest placement is to situate the tree well away from or to one side of the stove with an ample gap, so no parts overlap or interact with the heat source.

Decorative stockings and garlands

Hanging tempting stockings above the mantel and draping festive garlands on shelves or walls can really get us in the Christmas mood. However, take extreme care if placing these flammable items near your wood-burning stove.

Stockings hanging on the mantel might be a classic, but they’re just not worth the risk. If you hang stockings on the mantel directly above the stove, remove them before lighting the stove, and only hang them once the stove is cold.

Alternatively, you can hang stockings to the side of the stove or in another area where they are not at risk of coming into contact with the hot surface should they fall. Always secure carefully with strong hooks or nails.

For garlands, use non-flammable versions or only drape on non-combustible surfaces like brick or metal. Never hang them directly above or around the stove itself.

More Christmas home décor safety tips

Besides the obvious fire hazards, wood-burning stoves also pose a burn risk to children and pets if they brush against the hot surface. Fit guards and barriers if necessary – especially if you’re planning a family gathering on Christmas morning.

Take extra care decorating if little ones or pets will be near the lit stove. Avoid low-lying decorations or fragile tree ornaments within reach.

Also check that any floor coverings such as rugs are not close enough to catch alight or obstruct ventilation around the stove. Keep all other home textiles like curtains safely distant.

Always refer to the user guide for your particular make and model of stove. Follow any specific cautions such as leaving ventilation gaps or not obstructing certain areas.

Be vigilant when using your stove more over Christmas. Take preventative measures so all decorations, trees and furnishings stay far from the heat and flames. As always, avoid leaving the stove burning overnight or when you’re not at home.

Stay safe and enjoy your festive stove

By following these key tips, we can deck our homes with boughs of holly and all our favourite trimmings without compromising on cosy wood-burning stove cheer.

Just be sure to maintain a safe distance around the entire stove area, choose non-flammable decorations, and always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Here at Direct Stoves, we wish you all a warm, peaceful, and fire-safe Christmas!