Yes, bioethanol fireplaces are safe when used properly. Homeowners in Montgomery County MD and Fairfax County VA can enjoy these elegant outdoor features by following essential safety guidelines. While bioethanol involves flame, the risks are manageable with common-sense precautions and model-specific practices. Understanding proper fuel handling, ventilation, and maintenance ensures your outdoor living space remains both beautiful and secure.

How to Use Bioethanol Fireplaces Safely in Maryland

Before discussing some basic bioethanol safety tips, it’s important to point out that the products themselves have been through rigorous safety testing.

However, these units do incorporate flammable liquid and open flames, so there is some level of inherent risk. No matter how well built, solid, dependable, and tested the units are, you always want to lend an appropriate amount of caution and good judgment when operating any EcoSmart unit.

Getting Started—The Ground Rules

Before you ever attempt to operate any EcoSmart model, it’s a good idea to do the following:

• Always diligently read all safety material related to your specific model. If it’s been a while since you’ve operated the unit, or if you’re operating a model you’ve never used before, read the material again. It never hurts to refresh your knowledge to ensure you’re using your unit 100 percent correctly!
• Ensure that every person who is likely to be using the unit has also read through the safety material. If you have teenagers at home who will be using the unit, they should be as prepared and knowledgeable about running the fireplace as you.
• Commit yourself (and every person who might use the unit) to proper and safe use. Specifically, that means never running the unit while somebody is not in the room to supervise. Also, never let young children start, otherwise use, or be near these units unsupervised.

Some Important Safety Do’s

Always make sure to do the following:

• Use the model only in the way the user manual specifies.
• Read this user manual before use.
• Visually inspect the unit for any damage, obstructions, or foreign objects before filling with bioethanol.
• Frequently clean the burner (either with hot, soapy water or even in the dishwasher).
• Have proper fire extinguishing agents accessible. As with any flammable product, safe is better than sorry.

Some Important Safety Don’ts

For safe use and operation, avoid all of the following actions:

• Filling more bioethanol into the unit while the flame is going.
• Filling the unit before the burner has had a chance to cool.
• Filling above the specified “max” line for that model.
• Using any fuel not specified as safe. This includes citronella or other scent-modified fuels.
• Allowing the flame from the unit to be closer than sixty inches to anything else flammable.

If you have any questions about the specific operation, go to the source. EcoSmart’s website has lots of information as well as instructional videos about the proper techniques for decanting the fuel, filling the unit, and lighting the unit.

For more information about any safety concerns or best practices surrounding the EcoSmart Fireplace line, please also feel free to contact a representative of Design Builders, Inc.

Photos sourced by EcoSmart Fire