Clean Air Night 2024 – wood burning – the facts

Did you know that lighting fires in our homes is the largest source of harmful small particle air pollution in the UK?

This type of air pollution can cause life-threatening illnesses, including heart and lung disease, making it crucial that we raise awareness about this growing issue. That’s why the UK’s first-ever Clean Air Night is taking place on 24 January 2024, to shine a light on the facts about wood burning.

Wood burning not only harms your health, but also your wallet and the planet. Pressures on household finances or desires to be more eco-friendly may tempt people to burn wood, but research shows that wood burning produces more CO₂ than oil or gas and is almost always more expensive than other forms of heating.

North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) is taking part in Clean Air Night by raising awareness of the harmful effects that wood burning can have on our health and the environment, and the actions we can take to reduce them.

What you can do to help reduce air pollution cause by wood burning:

• Think before you burn. Avoid unnecessary burning at home (e.g. in a stove or open fire) unless it is your only source of heat.
• If you do rely on wood for your heating, use ‘ready to burn materials or seasoned wood on a low emission appliance.
• Maintain stoves and sweep chimneys.
• Install a carbon monoxide monitor, this will alert you to dangerous fumes and reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• For more good practice tips, check out advice on www.burnright.co.uk.

Learn more about wood burning and help protect yourself, your family and your community by sharing what you’ve learned.

Visit the Clean Air Hub at www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-night to find out more or check out #CleanAirNight on social media.