Safety advice given on keeping chimneys clean

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service is again reminding homeowners to get their chimneys swept before lighting their first fires of the winter.

The chilly evenings this summer have already led to almost a dozen chimney fires across the area since the beginning of September, with six incidents in the North Wiltshire area alone.

Case manager Jackie Tozer said: “It is really important to get your chimney swept on a regular basis, as it doesn’t take much for soot and other debris to build up and cause dangerous blockages.”

Chimneys for wood burning fires should be swept every three months when in use. If you burn smokeless fuels or bituminous coal, the chimney should be cleaned at least once a year. An annual clean is sufficient for oil and gas fires.

Other safety tips include:

• Have the chimney properly swept - using a vacuum cleaner alone is not sufficient.
• Make sure your fire receives enough air to allow the fuel to burn properly.
• Only burn suitable fuels.
• Do not overload the grate or appliance.
• Maintain your appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires.
• Inspect your chimney breast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure that it is sound and that the sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks.
• Make sure you are not at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning by having appliances installed and serviced by competent engineers. Fit a carbon monoxide detector and never block air bricks, vents or flues.
• Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.

A wide range of fire safety advice can be found on the Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service website - www.wiltsfire.gov.uk

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