Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding households to get their chimneys swept as part of Chimney Fire Safety Week (1–5 September).
The national campaign, led by the Government’s Fire Kills initiative, aims to reduce the number of chimney fires across England – with 40% of incidents happening between January and March each year.
Fire officers are urging residents to act early and book an appointment with a professional chimney sweep before the colder months set in. Chimneys should be swept at least twice a year to clear soot and tar deposits and to check for potential damage inside the flue.
Alongside regular sweeping, the use of quality-assured fuels can lower the risk of chimney fires and reduce harmful emissions.
Safety tips from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service include:
Have your chimney swept regularly – the frequency depends on the type of fuel you burn.
Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home, and test them monthly.
Put a family fire plan in place, so everyone knows how to escape if a fire starts.
Share this advice with friends, relatives or neighbours who may need help arranging a sweep or testing alarms.
A spokesperson said:
“Chimney fires are preventable. A small step, such as getting your chimney swept before winter, could save lives. We’re encouraging everyone to act now and make sure they have working smoke alarms too.”
For more advice, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/chimney-safety or check useful resources at hetas.co.uk and nfcc.org.uk.
