If you’ve got small children in the house, pellet stoves can raise some safety concerns—but the good news is, most of those risks can be easily managed with a little planning, the right setup and consistent maintenance.

Pellet Stoves Get Hot

Pellet stoves may look sleek and safe, but they’re still stoves—and they get hot to the touch, especially on the glass front, sides, and exhaust pipe. Curious hands (and fast little feet) can quickly lead to burns if precautions aren’t in place.

If possible, install your stove in a low-traffic area or somewhere already off-limits to kids. An out-of-the-way placement can act as a natural barrier, reducing temptation and chance encounters.

If that’s not an option, a safety guard or heat-resistant gate is your next best bet. Look for one that’s: stationary (not free-standing or easily tipped), fastened to the floor or wall, and tall enough to discourage climbing. A gate will create a physical buffer between your child and the stove, helping to prevent burns and accidents.

Proper Ventilation

Pellet stoves must be properly installed and vented to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide—a dangerous, odorless gas that can be fatal if it builds up indoors. Always have your stove installed by a professional, and be sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector (or combo CO/smoke detector) in the same room as the stove—and ideally in every sleeping area of the home.

Keep the Stove Clean

Pellet stoves do pose a fire risk if not regularly maintained. To stay safe:

• -Remove ashes weekly (or more often with heavy use)
• -Clean the stove thoroughly once a year
• -Keep combustibles—like clothes, toys and furniture—at a safe distance

Think of it like baby-proofing your heat source: the cleaner and clearer the area, the safer it is for everyone.

Teach the Basics Early

Even toddlers can learn a few key safety cues when it comes to the pellet stove. Reinforce simple commands like “HOT” and “NO” around the stove. With older kids, take time to explain why the stove is dangerous and what rules they should follow. You can even make it a routine part of winter safety conversations—like learning to look both ways before crossing the street.

In a perfect world, kids would never be left unsupervised near a pellet stove. In the real world, layered safety strategies—like gates, education, cleaning, and carbon monoxide alarms—are your best defense.

Pellet stoves are an efficient, cozy way to heat your home—but like any appliance, they require care and attention, especially with little ones around. A few smart precautions now can help ensure your home stays warm, safe, and worry-free all winter long.

Right-Sizing Your Pellet Stove

You might think the next step is picking a good-looking model and scheduling an install. But hold up—size matters, and choosing the right stove size is crucial before you make an investment.

Why?

If it’s too big, your living room turns into a sauna. Too small, and your family’s layering up like it’s an expedition to the Arctic.

Choosing the right size stove ensures better comfort, efficiency, and safety—so let’s break down how to get it just right.

Efficiency + Fuel Use

Getting the right-sized stove isn’t just about comfort—it’s about performance. If your stove is too small for the space, it won’t burn efficiently. That leads to incomplete combustion, excess buildup inside the stove and wasted fuel. And when a small stove is constantly working overtime to heat a large area, you’ll burn through pellets faster and wear out the stove much sooner.

Safety

An oversized stove might seem like a power move, but too much heat in a small space isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. Excess heat can radiate to nearby objects, increasing the risk of fire, especially if anything flammable is close by. On top of that, poor combustion from a mismatched stove can lead to creosote buildup in your stove or venting system. And creosote is highly flammable—not something you want hanging around your home.

Sizing your Stove

So how do you figure out the right stove size for your space? It all comes down to BTUs—or British Thermal Units—which measure how much heat your stove can put out. The higher the BTU rating, the more space the stove can heat efficiently and consistently.

To determine your BTU needs, start with the square footage of the area you want to heat. Then factor in your climate zone, since colder climates require more heating power. Multiply your square footage by the BTU range for your climate zone. If your home is well-insulated and energy-efficient, stick to the lower end of the range. If it’s drafty or has high ceilings, lean toward the higher end.

Here’s a quick guide:

• Calculate your square footage – Length × Width of the space
• Identify your climate zone:
  • Warm (regions that have mild winters): multiply square footage by 10–15
  • Moderate (regions with reasonably cold winters): multiply by 20–30
  • Cold (regions with harsh winters): multiply by 30–40

This will give you a BTU range to look for when choosing your stove—ensuring it’s powerful enough to keep you warm without wasting fuel or overworking the unit.

When it comes to pellet stoves, size really does matter. Choosing the right BTU range for your space and climate ensures you get the most out of your stove—comfort, efficiency, and safety included. A little planning now means fewer headaches (and cold feet) later. Do the math, choose wisely, and enjoy the warm, cozy payoff all winter long.