Chimney Fire Safety Week

We’ll soon be heading into autumn and winter and if you have a fireplace, you might be looking forward to cosy evenings in front of the fire. Before you start using your fireplace again, it’s really important to make sure your chimney and fireplace is clean and safe for use.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service attend around 90 chimney fires each year, and these can cause serious damage. A few simple steps can help reduce the risk of a chimney fire in your home:

1. Help us complete our annual services in your home. We will contact you each year to book in safety checks on your gas or solid fuel appliances. These will be completed by a qualified engineer who will sweep your chimney and check for blockages. Please make sure you are home to let the engineer in and let us know if you need to re-arrange the appointment.

2. Only burn dry, well-seasoned wood or briquettes. Dry wood and briquettes give off more heat and are better value for money. You can tell wood is well-seasoned if it has drying-out splits in the ends.

3. Make sure your fire has enough ventilation Check that there is space around the fire, that enough air is coming into the room, and that you haven’t blocked any of the vents allowing air in to supply the fire.

4. Make sure the fire is fully out before you leave home or go to bed.

5. Use a fireguard. A spark guard can protect against flying sparks. Nursery guards can stop children or vulnerable people touching the fire.

6. Keep furniture and other flammable items at least 2 metres away from the fire.

7. Check that you have a Carbon Monoxide alarm in the room. Check it’s in date and test it to make sure it’s working.

Find more information about fireplace safety from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service