NEWS: Make a clean sweep for safety As summer draws to a close, Chimney Fire Safety Week (9th to 15th September) is providing a timely reminder to Gloucestershire residents to get their chimney winter ready. With the colder winter months looming people are beginning to light up their open fires and log burners. Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to keep their home and family safe by getting their chimney swept regularly. Whether you have an open fire or log burner or not, everyone without exception should also make sure they have a working smoke alarm in their home. With more and more people having open fires and log burners in their homes, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is issuing this simple advice for safer chimneys: Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained Do not light fires using flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin Use the recommended fuel for the fire or wood burner; not cardboard or wrapping paper Do not overload the fire with fuel Use a fireguard to prevent embers setting light to furnishings Make sure that there is sufficient ventilation Ensure that the fire is completely out before going to bed or going out for the day Make sure your chimney is swept by a registered chimney sweep The number of times a chimney needs to be swept depends on the type of fuel it burns. A registered chimney sweep will be able to advise you of this. Despite the fact that most chimney fires are preventable, latest statistics show that there are approximately 7,000 chimney fires a year in England. Cllr Will Windsor-Clive, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Our Fire and Rescue Service do a great job for us year round, but all too often they are occupied dealing with chimney fires at this time of year. “Almost all of these chimney fire incidents could be avoided through proper chimney maintenance.” “Please help our firefighters by having your chimney swept.”
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 15:16:03 +0000
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