Wood Heating

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Christmas and Fireplaces

Wood is the primary or secondary heating source in more than four million Canadian homes. A fireplace helps heat your home and create a warm, cozy atmosphere. Unfortunately, wood smoke is known to contain more than a hundred pollutants. Some of these pollutants can penetrate deep into the lungs. Respiratory problems, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and nausea are just a few examples of the health problems associated with the smoke from residential wood heating.

It is possible to lessen the impact of the smoke produced by wood heating. To begin with, avoid burning gift wrap and ribbons, cardboard boxes, seals and plastic, Styrofoam or household trash in your fireplace.

Hyperlinks

For more information on wood heating, visit the Residential Wood Heating page from Environment Canada.

To find out about smog warnings in effect in Quebec, visit the Air Quality Health Index page from Environment Canada.

For information about the health effects associated with air quality, please visit the About the Air Quality Health Index page from Environment Canada.