The organisations behind Chimney Fire Safety Week in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes are Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, the National Association of Chimney Sweeps, the Guild of Master Sweeps and the Fire Kills campaign. Scroll to the bottom for local chimney fire statistics.

14 September 2009

Householders are being urged to plan ahead and get the chimney swept if they are considering lighting fires as the colder weather approaches.

Last year Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recorded a 40 per cent increase in the number of chimney fires it attended in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. The figure rose from 97 in 2007 to 138 in 2008.

There have already been 110 chimney fires in so far in 2009, including one in Speen last night. The majority – 95 – happened in January, February and March, but October, November and December are also months in which there is a traditional peak in calls to chimney fires.

Community safety manager Terry Ridgley said: “In the first nine months of 2008 we attended 87 chimney fires, and there were a further 51 in the final three months of the year.

"The figures for the first nine months of 2009 are higher than for the same period in 2008, so if this trend continues we will see yet another significant increase by the end of the year."

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is joining forces with the National Association of Chimney Sweeps, the Guild of Master Sweeps and the Fire Kills campaign to draw attention to the problem at the launch of Chimney Fire Safety Week, which runs from from 21 to 27 September.

Terry said: ““With the colder months looming, people will begin to start using open fires and their chimneys again. It appears that more and more people are using open fires and wood burners because of the rising costs of gas, electricity and oil.

“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. I would also urge all householders to have working smoke alarms in their homes."

Terry is advising people to follow these simple instructions:

• Have your chimney swept at least once a year – and at least twice a year if you burn wood.
  
  
• If you have recently opened up and started to use a fireplace, make sure it is inspected by a qualified person.
  
  
• When burning wood, use dry, seasoned woods only.
  
  
• Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke.
  
  
• Never burn cardboard boxes or waste paper.
  
  
• Do not overload the grate or appliance.
  
  
• Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires.
  
  
• Inspect your chimney breast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure that it is sound and that the sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks.
  
  
• Consider having a carbon monoxide detector fitted.
  
  
• Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
  
  
• Ensure wood burners are installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  
  
• Make sure the appliance receives enough air to allow the fuel to burn properly.
  

Fire safety advice is free and easy to obtain from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. If you would like any advice or information, please contact the community safety team on 01296 744477, send an email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or fill in the online form.

For general advice about fire safety in the home, please click HERE

Chimney fire statistics - Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

More information

National Association of Chimney Sweeps - www.nacs.org.uk

The Guild of Master Sweeps - www.guild-of-master-sweeps.co.uk