If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace or a wood stove then burning wood for supplemental heat in the winter can go a long way towards offsetting some of your gas or electric use for warming your home, not to mention make for a cozy gathering place to visit around over the holidays. Buying firewood can be expensive though, so it's probably best if you have access to wood in your immediate area and can chop it yourself. To that end, keep these tips in mind:

• Always wear eye protection
  
• Wear pants of thick material and heavy thick shoes
• Use equipment that's in good repair (a sharp axe with a solid handle with no cracks or chips)
• Position the log you're chopping so it's stable and sitting straight up (not at an angle)
  
• NEVER try to chop a log that you're holding onto or stabilizing with the other hand
• Choose logs that have had a chance to dry adequately (they'll split easier)
• Use a solid chopping block with a flat surface (a large stump works well)
• Aim carefully and give the axe a good solid swing -- if you hesitate or swing too lightly you may just jam the axe in the wood.

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These tips are really helpful when chopping firewood. I would strictly follow these tips to ensure that nothing goes wrong while chopping. Most of the times it so happens that the axe is not sharp or is blunt and everything is a totally messy affair.