7 Items You Should Never Burn in Your Fireplace Read this before you strike that match. Close Credit: decorvow Cozy season is upon us, and despite all the thickly knit sweaters and fleece-lined boots, there’s nothing quite as warming as sitting around the fireplace. The right wood is essential for the perfect—and safest—of fires, but there are also a few caveats everyone should know before burning other items in their fireplace. "Fire safety should always be a top consideration when deciding whether or not to burn something in your fireplace," says home improvement pro Andre Kazimierski, who is co-owner and president at HomeHero Roofing. Below, our experts list seven essential items to avoid burning, along with the best types of wood to choose for premium fires. 13 Fireplace Remodel Ideas for a Perfectly Cozy Space 01 of 07 Treated Wood One of the biggest mistakes people make with their fireplaces is forgetting that wood and treated wood are two completely different things, says Megan Doser, owner and CEO at Doctor Fix It Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric. "Treated wood is soaked in chemicals, glues, paints, and sometimes even preservatives that release toxic fumes when you burn it in your fireplace," Doser explains. "Treated wood is about 90 percent wood and 10 percent chemicals, glues, or preservatives that release toxic fumes when burned." These fumes can cause headaches and provoke respiratory problems, leave corrosive buildup inside the chimney, and damage the flue liner over time. "It's a real danger for both your health and your fireplace," says Doser. 02 of 07 Colored Ink Burning colored or glossy paper is almost like burning plastic—the glossy finish and inks often contain similar petroleum-based compounds that release toxic fumes. Even though modern paper is safer to burn than the paper made decades ago, it’s still toxic. “You never feel the negative effects right away, but can end up causing chronic coughing or throat irritation,” Doser warns, “and a thick layer of sticky creosote in your chimney if you make burning such paper a habit.” 03 of 07 Cardboard Cardboard can burn quickly and intensely—and cause high flames with numerous potential fire hazards. In addition, cardboard is often treated with chemicals that will seep into your air when burned. So even though the boxes from your online shopping spree might take up a significant amount of room in your recycling bin, it’s a much safer option than burning them in your fireplace. 04 of 07 Dryer Lint You might have used dryer lint as a fire starter when camping outdoors, but it should never be used to start a fire in your home. Dryer lint often contains tiny plastic fibers, which should not be inhaled, but often can’t be avoided in small spaces like a home. 05 of 07 Household Trash Food wrappers, coated cardboard, and printed packaging in your trash bin turn into dioxins, benzene, and microscopic soot particles in your lungs when burned, warns Doser. “Household trash is a random mix of things and nothing in it is actually safe to burn,” she explains. “Household trash is mostly plastics and coated materials—often more than 50 percent— and this is what creates the most significant danger when burned.” In a pinch, "office paper, brown kraft paper, plain cardboard, or regular black-and-white newspaper without glossy coating is okay in small amounts for starting a fire," Doser shares. 06 of 07 Wet or Moldy Firewood Wet and moldy firewood may still be wood, but you can't burn it. “They release toxins and mold spores when burned,” Doser cautions, “and neither burns hot enough, which means thick smoke and creosote build up in the chimney flue.” 18 Painted Fireplace Ideas for a Cozy, Modern Update 07 of 07 A Christmas Tree It may seem like a productive use of it after the season is over, but you should never burn your Christmas tree in your fireplace. “One of the biggest issues is that the needles can pop and create big flying embers, which could then fly out into your home or even up through your chimney and onto your roof, causing a fire to catch and spread quickly,” warns Kazimierski. Choose Your Wood Type Wisely Untreated, dry firewood seasoned for at least six months is non-negotiable for a safe fireplace burn, says Doser. "This protects your fireplace's ‘health’ by reducing soot and creosote buildup." It’s important to start the fire with smaller, dry splits and add larger logs only once the flames are steady. This will help the wood catch evenly and reduce chimney residue, Doser explains. “If it's hardwood like oak, maple, or birch, it's even better because it will burn longer and hotter,” she adds. Doser also recommends opening the damper fully and maintaining a steady, hot flame to slow creosote buildup in the chimney. “This will keep smoke from backing into the room,” she says. Safety first! Now go ahead and strike that match. Explore more: Home