To use the log burner with a newborn baby?

[Teenytinyfeet]

….given our circumstances?

We had a new log burner fitted last winter, defra approved etc etc. We have a carbon monoxide alarm in the living room and an air filter machine (no idea if that actually does anything)

We are oil central heating and the price of oil is just extortionate, with the government only offering £100 in support at the moment.

We are extremely lucky in that we get free wood so in previous years mostly use this to heat our home.

However, DC is 2 months old and I’ve said to DH I’m not happy using the wood burner this winter due to the increased risk of SIDS and asthma etc.

DH says I’m being ridiculous and that it doesn’t emit smoke into the room and with the monoxide alarm and air filter it’ll be fine. He says we can’t justify not using it this winter given that it’s a free heat source.

We’ve just had yet another row about it.

I don’t know what to think/ do.

Has anyone used their log burner around a young baby? AIBU to be worried?

As far as I understand it they aren’t good for anyone, never mind young babies, so no.

A CO2 monitor wont be much use.

My son has very severe asthma and our stove never affected it 🤷

You don't understand it.

I have a log burner and 2 small children never thought twice about using when they were babies or now . it’s on most of the afternoon and all evening in winter as we also have free wood.always had open fires growing up so it’s not something that worried me none of my children or anyone in my family has asthma. I know that doesn’t mean there are no risk but it’s easy to over worry about things. I would be far more worried about my children being cold and the house getting damp

I always used ours when DD was small - better to be warm imo, esp with CO monitors and it being recently fitted it will be as safe as anything anyway.

Arm yourself with information so you can be informed about the risks, as you will get lots of different views on Mumsnet and they can't all be correct. Lots of research is going on into this, for example this study suggests you shouldn't use them with young children around but that there are peak times of danger (which you could potentially avoid if you know when those are): www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/indoor-wood-stoves-release-harmful-emissions-our-homes-study-finds

www.which.co.uk/reviews/wood-burning-stoves/article/wood-burning-stoves-what-you-need-to-know/stoves-and-pollution-aIPXC8g7lbu5

Even the approved ones give off particulate matter. It’s not as bad as smoking but burning any carbon like that will produce particles that increase risk and damage health over the long term. It’s now known that the PM2.5 that are released by burning wood in these things probably damage just about every organ in the body.

I think a lot of people are going to find it very difficult to accept this unfortunately.

www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/11/12/1326

No way. We're not going to use ours as the SIDs risk increases. It's smoke ffs!

@entropynow

There’s plenty of evidence they contribute to lung conditions. It’s open to debate of course, but making teenage snippy remarks is silly and pointless.

article from the indie, as an eg
The scientists analysed data collected every few minutes from monitors in the study participants’ homes. While the stoves were lit, the harmful particles level was three times higher than when they were out, and average particle levels rose to between 27 and 195mcg per cubic metre of air. The World Health Organisation limit is 25mcg over 24 hours.

I have one and I'm asthmatic. We have the flue maintained annually and only use seasoned, untreated wood. No problems here.

Okay maybe I’ve been living under a rock but WHAT? how didn’t I know any of this before now? We’ve never had a fire before so that’s probably why but we’ve put a log burner in. It’s not yet fully installed so obviously not in use. Our little one is nearly a year and a half and we would just have used it when he was in bed (mainly due to him trying to touch it probably) but now I’m thinking not 🤔 If they’re so dangerous why are they okay for adults?

Terrible for indoor air quality so no I wouldn’t.

There is a risk but it's the same sort of risk as e.g. taking the pill or eating red meat frequently. There is a link between log burners and poor air quality, high PM and negative health consequences, but the risk is neither immediate nor material.

Having said that it’s better than living in a cold damp house if you’ve no other heat. As others have said it’s about balancing risks.

They are bad for the air quality outside. You can smell them in the streets where houses are close together. It will get inside other people’s houses as well.

I just had my oil tank filled it's nearly a quid a litre! I'm mainly using the wood stove for heat. I have to save the oil for when it's properly cold this winter. I think my kids health is better not living in a cold damp house tbh.

Last year it was mainly oil fired central heating with wood fire for ambience. Can not afford this, this year. I'd probably use the wood stove if I were you but get a decent air purifier.

I grew up with an coal fire downstairs, portable bar heater in the bedroom for a short time before bed… and don’t have asthma. DH grew up with central heating and has quite bad asthma. when we go to a cottage with a log burner he does notice a tighter chest (took ages to eliminate this, thinking dust or pollen but we stopped using as it got warmer and by magic he felt normal (for him.))

You are releasing a lot of PM10 and PM2.5 with logs. Make sure you’re chimney has been swept.

These things are all about risk tolerance.
You experience a slightly higher risk of asthma; you get more money.

What does that money mean? Does it mean more social experiences or better food for you and baby? Worth trying to add up how much you’d save.

If its same risk as eating meat, alcohol pollution etc why the outcry? Modern burners are tested and have to reach high standards are all fitted with special flues chimneys adjusted and monitors next to them the risk is tiny. We have one no problems no issues no smoke in room. People have heated themselves through fires since earth began its the natural way bet logburners don't cause as much pollution as the giant energy stations that are needed to fuel people's heating, go and be outraged at the burger van selling cancer inducing bacon rolls every morning instead

Gas appliances are very bad for indoor pollution too and associated with increased asthma in children. Would suggest you get several HEPA filters if you’re really concerned, they are effective. You can also make one with a box fan and furnace filter. I don’t know the details of how much indoor pollution a log burner properly fitted causes versus gas/oil appliances but guessing both are pretty bad.

I wouldn’t do it either. You have a newborn, it’s not a time to take risks. Just spend the extra money this winter.

Also ignore anyone who tells you that the Victorians all used coal fires etc etc. Their health statistics weren’t great eh.

e.g. taking the pill or eating red meat frequently. There is a link between log burners and poor air quality, high PM and negative health consequences, but the risk is neither immediate nor material.

Of course the risks are material. Both from burning wood and red or processed meat. The risk from red meat is not only material it’s measurable and not insignificant. That’s why there are now clear recommendations to cut down.

Hi OP
I was in a very similar situation last winter. We kept it off during the day til baby was about 6 months old.
We are using it now but only with very good seasoned wood (2 years plus) it burns slowly and doesn't emit much smoke.
We also make sure we put a pot of water ontop so the air isn't too dry and have a conduction fan so the heat is spread about the room as well. If you don't have one then I strongly suggest you get one.

Baby isn't in the room with the fire much but the fire can heat the entire house (due to the fan). If your going to use it make sure baby is as far away as possible and your wood is properly seasoned. Rubbish wood kicks out more smoke and very little heat and tou will constantly be having to add more thus opening the door more often.

What a science fact filled and well researched post

We grew up with peat fires and are here to tell the tale.