Firefighters issue chimney fire safety warning
With the continued rise in fuel costs, it is expected that more and more people will be turning to the traditional method of keeping warm this winter, using electric, gas or open fires.
In light of this Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents in Stratford to take extra care when lighting up appliances that haven’t been used for a number of months. This message is even more crucial for those residents using traditional log fires, due to the debris, which tends to accumulate when fires are in regular use.
Area Risk Manager Jon Dixon said:
“In the last year there have been 62 chimney fires in south Warwickshire, most of which occurred during the months of January, March and November. There have already been seven in December, which could increase further if the cold weather persists.
“Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help to eliminate the build-up of soot from coal, wood, oil and gas-fired systems. It also clears obstructions such as bird nests, leaves and debris. So if you haven’t lit your fire yet this winter, just take the time to have your chimney checked. In addition ensure that all electrical or gas fires are checked by a qualified engineer.”
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection with Warwickshire County Council, said: “We appreciate how difficult it is to keep warm in the cold weather due to concerns over the cost of heating. This means that residents may turn to alternative methods such as portable electric or propane gas heaters. We are pushing out the ‘keep warm, keep well message, but residents need to ensure they are doing this safely.”
The good news is that you can reduce the risk of having a chimney fire in your home by following a few simple guidelines:
* Chimneys using smokeless fuel, oil and gas should be swept at least once a year
* Chimneys using wood and bituminous coal should be swept every quarter when in regular use
* Ensure a fireguard is in front of the fire at all times, with sparkguards especially effective in preventing serious property fires
* Extinguish the fire before leaving the house or going to bed
* Do not use flammables such as petrol or paraffin to light fires
* Ensure that gas and electric heaters have been checked by a certified engineer before using
* Fitting a carbon monoxide detector
For further information on fire safety or to find out how to apply for a free home fire safety check, log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue