Christmas stocking/decorations over a new zero-clearance fireplace

[RRMM]

After searching this site, I cannot quite find a definitive answer on the Christmas stocking issue. Is it safe to hang stockings and put decorations over a new zero-clearance fireplace with the mantel at the recommended height? One thread mentioned non-combustable stockings, and another mentioned they removed their stockings while it was burning, but both were fireplace inserts.
The first year in our current house (2000) with a non-vented gas fireplace, I melted fake greenery hanging down 4" from the mantel. The stench… yuk! Growing up, we had a regular masonry fireplace and nothing on or hanging off the mantle ever caught fire.
I would prefer to be educated ahead of time what's acceptable and not find out the hard way! The mantel will be a solid piece of pine, btw. The unit is a Kozy Heat z42 CD. See photo below. Looking at our CO next week, hopefully! Thanks in advance for your advice. I so appreciate this forum.

 

[Jags]

It all has to do with Clearance to combustibles. If they (or any decoration) is withing the accepted C to C then NO. Don't do it. If you can keep them outside of the C to C min. then by all means - go for it.
Suggestion: Keep the candy bars someplace else.

 

[RRMM]

Thank you! Perhaps I should read the instruction manual first . It is in Ashe County while I sit here in Union County. New term for me: clearance to combustibles. Good warning about the candy bars, lol. From experience or just common sense?

 

[Jags]

Good warning about the candy bars, lol. From experience or just common sense?

I have a stand alone stove - no mantle, so it was just good old fashioned think'in.

 

[fossil]

I gets plenty hot there. Maybe figure out a "cool" way to stand/hang the stockings & whatever above the mantel...? Rick

 

[begreen]

There's a reason that the poem goes "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care," Care is important. Christmas fires are too common. Err on the side of safety and either find a new location or keep the fire out when the stocking are hung with care.

 

[BrotherBart]

 

[Dix]

I prop mine up around the tree, Less combustible that way. 20 feet away at least,

Welcome to the forums !!

 

[Simonkenton]

To the left is a pic of my conventional masonry fireplace. I am out on the road now in the Big Rig so can't make measurements. Looks like the oak mantel is 2 feet above the top of the fireplace opening. We hang stockings every year from the mantel at Christmas, but only at the ends.So the bottoms of those stockings are, maybe 2 feet from the fireplace opening. Haven't had a problem yet in 18 years.

I also learned, up here in the snowy NC mountains, the origin of the saying "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.". We have 5 or 6 little nails driven into the mantel. If you have been out working, or playing in the snow and you come inside with wet socks, you can hang your socks from the mantel, and if the fireplace is roaring, your stockings will be dry in 20 minutes.

So, in going to the country and heating with wood fires, I learn the meaning of an old phrase from childhood.
In working for 10 weeks, by myself, to build this 18-ton masonry fireplace I also learned the origin of the expression 'I worked my ass off" but that story is for another day.

 

[iron]

question (if anyone's watching this thread)

do you think it's okay for me to hang stockings in the areas shown in yellow, below? I know that this is outside of the combustible area for the fireplace, and is definitely way cooler than at the middle. just wondering if things will melt.

alternatively, does anyone know of ways to hang off of the masonry that won't look horrible or damage things?

 

[begreen]

Probably ok, but not until after Thanksgiving!

 

[Simonkenton]

Yes you can hang stockings there.