Make a clean sweep of it!
Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of your chimney flue will help prevent a fire starting within your chimney.
To help avoid chimney fires, your chimney is swept once a year by a CHL contractor. If for any reason, there are any issues with your chimney please contact us and we will investigate.
Please follow these safety guidelines
- Ensure a spark/fireguard is in front of the fire at all times.
- Extinguish your fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Never use petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
- Never burn cardboard boxes or wastepaper.
- Do not overload the grate or appliance.
- Make sure you have a working smoke alarm and test it regularly.
- Make sure you have Carbon Monoxide detector installed.
Read our chimney fire safety leaflet
In the event of a chimney fire...
- Dial 999 and ask for the Fire Service. It will help if someone can wait outside to meet them.
- If you have a conventional open fire, extinguish the fire by gently splashing water onto the open fire.
- If you have a solid fuel appliance, close down the ventilation as much as possible.
- Move furniture and rugs away from the fireplace and remove any nearby ornaments.
- Place a fire/spark guard in front of the fire.
- Feel the chimney breast in other rooms for signs of heat.
- If a wall is becoming hot, move furniture away.
- Ensure that access to your attic or roof space is available for the Fire Service as they will want to thoroughly check this area for signs of possible fire spread.
A carbon monoxide detector will help protect you from the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. For more information visit Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service safety page on Carbon Monoxide
