Only burn tinder (such as pine needles or tiny sticks), kindling (small sticks or pinecones), and fuel (large logs, up to about 14 " long). [substeps] Burning hardwood (such as maple and oak) will diminish the amount of soot and ash buildup in your chimney.
[header] How to use a fireplace safely [title] Burn safe materials. [step] Only burn natural materials in your fireplace; never introduce foreign substances, including cardboard, newspaper, or paper trash. These substances burn poorly, produce a lot of smoke, and release chemicals into the air.