Remember!

Without proper maintenance, any flue from a fire or stove can cause a dangerous build up of carbon monoxide gas.
A carbon monoxide detector will help protect you from this risk.

More information

Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires within chimneys.

Simple tips to greatly reduce your chances of having a fire in your chimney:

We recommend the following simple maintenance routines:


Type of Appliance	Chimney Sweeping Frequency
Solid Fuel Appliances	Swept once per year for smokeless fuel and twice per year for coal
Wood Burning Appliances	Swept every three months when in use
Gas Appliances	Once every year if designed for sweeping
Oil Fired Appliances	Once per year

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 sparkguard 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.