MALVERN residents have been urged by the fire authority to get their chimneys cleaned by an approved sweeper as the nights draw in for autumn and winter.
As part of Chimney Fire Safety Week (September 4-10), Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has called on homeowners to get their chimneys swept to prevent chimney damage and in worse case scenarios, household fires.
Statistics from HWFRS revealed chimney fires accounted to more than 4,200 incidents dealt with by the service between April 2015 and March last year.
Chimney Fire Safety Week is part of the Government’s ‘Fire Kills’ campaign.
Station commander Stuart Crebbin, from HWFRS’s community risk department said: “To keep you and your family safe from fire you should make sure you have your chimney swept regularly, depending on what fuel you burn, before the colder months set in and you begin to use your fire again.
“A stove or open fire can be an ideal and pleasant way to keep warm in the winter, but without proper maintenance a chimney can become dangerous.”
Mr Crebbin also urged residents to make an appointment with a registered chimney sweep as soon as possible.
For further information, visit www.hwfire.org.uk/safety-and-advice.
HWFRS’s tips to keep you and your family safe from fire:
– Always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
– Make sure embers are properly put out before going to bed
– Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained
– Never burn rubbish
– Never use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light a fire
