Cosy season is coming—but is your chimney ready?

Essex residents are being urged to get their chimneys swept before lighting their first fire this autumn.

It’s the start of the ‘bers and with cosy season just around the corner, many people will be lighting the fire for the first time in months.

But before you settle down for a cosy evening, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging anyone with a fireplace, wood-burning stove or other solid-fuel appliance to book a professional chimney sweep before lighting that first fire.

Crew Manager Phil Pitts-Webster from Basildon Fire Station is a firefighter by day. When he’s off-duty, he’s a HETAS registered installer, chimney sweep and service technician.

He said: “Having your chimney swept regularly is a simple step that can help keep your home and family safe, while also giving you peace of mind when you light your first fire of the season.

“The most common cause of chimney fires is a build-up of combustible deposits inside the chimney. So whenever we burn wood or other solid fuels, soot and other deposits are produced. If wood is too wet, the appliance is not being operated correctly, or the chimney is not swept often enough, those deposits can build up much more quickly.

“Eventually, an ember or a particularly hot fire can ignite them and cause a fire within the chimney. That’s why regular sweeping is essential. HETAS recommends sweeping at least once a year and if you burn wood, twice a year.”

If you haven’t had your chimney swept since last winter, now is a good time to get it booked in.

Chimney sweeps can get particularly busy as the weather turns colder, so residents are encouraged not to leave it until the first chilly weekend.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service recommends that you:

• Have your chimney swept regularly by a professional chimney sweep
• Make sure your chimney and flue are suitable for the appliance being used
• Only burn suitable fuel for your appliance and never burn unsuitable materials…look for the Ready to Burn branding on any shop bought fuels
• Inspect your chimney regularly and check for signs of damage or problems with your chimney, flue or appliance
• Consider having a chimney cowl fitted to help prevent birds and debris from blocking the chimney
• Make sure smoke alarms are fitted on every floor of your home and test them regularly
• Have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance
• Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do and how to escape if there is a fire

Phil added: “Thankfully, chimney fires have been steadily decreasing over the last few years, and we want to keep it that way. Start by getting your chimney swept and ready before it’s cold so you’re ready to go as soon as the that cold weather creeps in.

“Make sure to use a HETAS registered sweep, you can find your local technician at: www.hetas.co.uk/consumer/services/chimney-sweeps/ and once you’ve got that done, you can find lots of advice on how to use your fire or log burner safely on our website.”