Chimney fire safety advice from Dorset Fire Service

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service is urging residents to have regular cleaning carried out on their chimneys to prevent a build-up of soot and other debris. 

The service says a clean chimney can help prevent fires and structural damage to your property and regular cleaning of your chimney or flue will eliminate the build-up of soot and clear obstructions such as bird or animal nests, leaves and debris.

A spokesman said: "It is not enough to use a vacuum cleaner and you should make sure that your chimney or flue is inspected regularly."

The service has issued the following advice for householders.

Chimneys should be swept: At least once a year when using smokeless fuels At least once a year when using bituminous coal; Every three months when burning wood; Once a year when using oil and once a year when using gas.

The following safety advice should always be followed when lighting an open fire or woodburning stove: Don’t use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire; Don’t burn excessive amounts of paper or rubbish; Don’t overload the fire with fuel; When the fire is alight, check the loft space occasionally to make sure there is no smoke leaking from cracks, defective brickwork or mortar joints.

Safe disposal of hot ash and embers

Hot ash from woodburners and fireplaces can take several days to cool thoroughly; as such, it can be a fire and carbon monoxide hazard.

Store ash and hot coals in a metal container that can be tightly closed with a metal lid. This helps keep air from blowing through and disturbing the ashes, which can leave hot coals exposed for re-ignition.

Make sure that you leave sufficient time after a fire to let the ash cool and keep the door to the stove closed.

Ensure that all disposing of ash is done so with the correct equipment, such as safety gloves.

Take your time to remove the ashes to avoid any ash spreading across your room.

Wet the ashes in the container prior to closing the metal lid.

Don’t store your metal ash container inside the house, on a timber deck, in a garage, in a shed, or in any location that may allow heat to transfer from hot coals to nearby flammable items.

Never empty ashes into a paper or plastic bag, a cardboard box, or any other similar containers.

Coal ash should always be disposed of safely, check with your local council for specific guidance for disposal of fully cooled ash into general waste. There are many uses for fully cooled wood stove ash, including in compost (wood ash is good for the ground, visit the RHS website for more), on icy surfaces. and to protect vegetables from slugs and snails.

For more information see the website www.dwfire.org.uk/chimney-safety/