Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service launch chimney fire safety campaign
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning householders with chimneys to get them swept as they launch their annual chimney fire safety campaign this September.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning householders with chimneys to get them swept as they launch their annual chimney fire safety campaign this September.
Many people do not realise the severe damage that can be caused to homes and potential danger to the occupants when a chimney catches fire, especially during the night, say fire officers.
Over the past year, firefighters were called to deal with 114 chimney fires in the county – most of them avoidable, they say.
Many home owners traditionally turn to open fires, Rayburns and wood burners to stay warm during winter’s plunging temperatures.
“This is the time of the year when chimney fires increase simply because people have failed to have their chimneys swept,” warned Becky Castle, of the brigade’s Prevention department.
“A chimney fire leaves a terrible mess in your home with the smell of smoke lingering for weeks. At worst they can lead to a serious house fire as flames spread through the roof space and if this happens at night when everyone is asleep, the results could end in tragedy,” she warned.
People should not use unseasoned wood which leaves tar deposits inside chimneys and flues which can catch fire. There is also the danger of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning from unswept chimneys clogged by soot and smoke. Leaving a fire burning overnight is also dangerous.
Householders should always use a qualified installer to fit a Rayburn. Without it their insurance would be at risk if there was a fire, she said.
Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority member, Councillor Keith Roberts, joined the fire safety campaign saying: “I would encourage all residents with open fires or log burners to have their chimneys and flues swept regularly by an approved chimney sweep.”
People should also ensure they have working smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide monitor installed.
“It would also be a good neighbour to call on any elderly people living nearby to ensure they are protected,” said Becky, whose team is delivering chimney fire safety leaflets to coal merchants and timber yards in Shropshire to hand out to customers.
The brigade outreach vehicle will be at Oswestry Market on September 7 to give out chimney safety advice and give out a carbon monoxide detector to those who sign up sign for a free home fire safety visit. They will also be at Oswestry library on September 7 in the afternoon and at Bridgnorth library on September 9.
In the UK, there are about 7,000 chimney fires each year, most of them preventable.
To find a chimney sweep in your area contact The National Association of Chimney Sweeps www.nacs.org.uk/sweep-search/
