Simple steps to take to help your chimney safety
Chimney Fire Safety Week 2021
Chimney Fire Safety Week is an annual campaign that will run from 30th August to 5th September this year. The national campaign aims to highlight small steps you can take to mitigate your risk of having a chimney fire. You will see messages across HETAS socials during the week with important safety measures.
There were 3,105 reported chimney fires in England from April 2020 to March 2021. The good news is this is a slight reduction on the previous year and getting your chimney sweep booked before the heating season could help prevent you from becoming a chimney fire statistic.
Sweeping and servicing
You should have your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood or bituminous house coal and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used for a prolonged period. If sweeping twice a year, the second time should be after the peak of the main heating season. Find your local HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep using your postcode here.
Regular sweeping and servicing schedules are essential. We recommend getting a service at least annually by a HETAS Registered Installer or HETAS Approved Servicing Technician, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Ready to Burn fuels
As well as getting your chimney swept and appliance serviced you should ensure you are using the right fuel for your appliance. If you have a wood burner look for the Ready to Burn certification mark when purchasing firewood in volumes up to 2m³ or if you buy in bulk, ensure you know how to season the wood appropriately, so it is dry to burn. There are some helpful tips on the Ready to Burn website that cover firewood storage and using a pin meter to check the moisture content. Use your postcode on the Woodsure website to find your local wood fuel supplier.
If you use manufactured solid fuels, you can also look for the Ready to Burn certification mark or check the smoke control website. The Ready to Burn fuels are those whose ID code starts with MSF. You can read more about the Ready to Burn legislation and view examples of the certification marks here.
Also, it is important to ensure you are using your appliance in accordance with your manufacturer’s instructions for a long, reliable, and safe use.
Connect with HETAS for Chimney Fire Safety Week updates and follow #CFSW2021:
