fire safety

We’re supporting this year’s national Chimney Fire Safety Week and want to remind everyone that it’s important to book a chimney sweep before lighting your stove for the first time this winter.

Regular chimney sweeping is essential for removing soot, bird nests, cobwebs, and other blockages. It also eliminates creosote build-up, a highly flammable substance that can lead to dangerous chimney fires.

Always consult a reputable chimney sweep for the best advice and service. The HETAS website has a handy search facility, where you can easily search by postcode to find registered chimney sweeps in your area: Find an approved sweep near you.

This is also a good time to check your stove is ready for use and perform any essential maintenance to ensure your stove is ready to go when you need it.

Some tips to make sure your home stays safe this winter inclu

At this time of year, there is usually an increase in reports of house and chimney fires. However, these fires can be easily prevented with responsible use and maintenance.

Smoky fuels release more creosote, a tarry substance that can stick to the inside of your chimney and ignite if allowed to build up. To prevent this, only use good quality dry firewood or even better, wood briquettes, which produce low amounts of smoke and therefore less creosote over time.

Regular maintenance, including annual chimney cleaning, is essential. It’s best to have your chimney cleaned by a professional who has all the right tools for the job. They can also inspect your chimney for any cracks, holes, birds nests or any other blockages, which could mean it's unsafe to light a fire.

Have you started decorating for Christmas? 

Follow these guidelines to help you decorate your fireplace safely this Christmas

With the Christmas countdown on, many of us are beginning to get ready for the festive season, which is why it's important to follow guidance on how to decorate your fireplace safely.

 A cosy fireplace easily becomes the centrepiece of any room, but it can be surprisingly difficult to create a safe yet beautiful decorative display on your mantel and hearth. Experts recommend keeping any combustible materials, including pillows, blankets, and seasonal decorations, at least three feet away from the opening of the fireplace. This includes any decorations you might hang from your

Fire and Rescue services are advising people to take extra care after a spate of fires involving chimneys and wood burning stoves. People with wood burning stoves, which are growing in popularity due to the spiralling cost of gas and electricity, are reminded to get them correctly installed and regularly maintained. HETAS, the Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme, provides details of chimney sweeps at hetas.co.uk/consumer/services/chimney-sweeps.

Sweeping your chimney at least once a year and using a quality-assured fuel is the key to prevention. Not only does this remove soot and tar deposits but also gives chimney sweeps the opportunity to check for any problems with the chimney or liner. A typical sweep only takes about 90