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Is your chimney safe?

2nd September 2014 @ 6:06am – by Cheshire Firefighters
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In 2013/14 there have been 105 chimney fires across Cheshire, with 63 of those being in Cheshire East, and 4 of them attended by Audlem firefighters.

With summer drawing to a close Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is using Chimney Fire Safety Week (8-14 September) as a timely reminder for businesses and residents to make sure their chimney is ready for the winter.

The demand for wood burners and open fires has increased over the last couple of years as families struggle with the cost of fuel. So it is important that extra care is taken and chimneys are swept on a regular basis to prevent a fire in the home or business.

Lee Shears, Service Delivery Manager for Cheshire East explained: "With the colder, winter months looming, people will begin to start using open fires and their chimneys again. In order to keep you and your family safe from fire, you need to take necessary steps such as ensuring your chimney is swept regularly, depending upon what fuel you burn, and I would urge all householders to have a working smoke alarm in their home."

Smokeless coals At least once a year
Wood Up to four times a year
Bituminous coal Twice a year
Oil Once a year
Gas Once a year

In addition to keeping chimneys and flues clear you should also:

  • Always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
  • Make sure embers are properly put out before you go to bed

Lee added: "Last year we had over 60 chimney fires in Cheshire East. These fires can lead to widespread damage of a property, so we are hoping that by following these simple steps we can reduce the number of incidents."

For more information please visit here.


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