With the Autumn chill fast approaching, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is urging households to get their chimneys swept as part of Chimney Fire Safety Week (1–7 September).
Over the past five years, firefighters have attended more than 500 chimney fires across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. While numbers have been steadily decreasing thanks to improved awareness, HIWFRS is keen to remind residents that now is the time to take action before lighting wood burners, open fires, or other appliances that use a chimney this Autumn.
Fire Service Top Tips
To reduce the chances of a chimney fire in your home, HIWFRS recommends:
- Sweep the chimney before use if it hasn’t been used for some time.
- Always ensure a fireguard is in front of the fire.
- Use sparkguards to prevent a serious property fire.
- Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
- Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm.
How Often Should You Sweep?
- Smokeless fuel appliances: once a year.
- Coal appliances: twice a year.
- Wood-burning appliances: every three months while in use.
- Gas appliances: once a year (if designed for sweeping).
- Oil-fired appliances: once a year.
What To Do If You Have a Chimney Fire
- Call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service.
- For open fires, carefully splash water to extinguish flames and let steam vent up the chimney.
- For solid fuel appliances, close the ventilation as much as possible.
- Move furniture and rugs away from the fireplace.
- Check other rooms for heat along the chimney breast.
- Ensure attic or roof space access is available for firefighters to check for fire spread.
- If smoke enters your home, evacuate immediately.
HIWFRS stresses that prevention is always the best protection. Booking a professional chimney sweep before Autumn arrives is the simplest way to stay safe.
For more advice and detailed safety guidance, visit the HantsFire.gov.uk website.