Tips & Fire Safety
General Fire Safety
Fit smoke & CO2 alarms and check them regularly.
Make a fire action plan so that everybody in your house knows how to escape in the event of a fire.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Check for fire hazards in your home before you go to bed – it takes longer to become aware of a fire when asleep.
If there is a fire, don’t tackle it yourself – get out, stay out and call 999.
Chimney Care
- Clean your chimney and flue regularly.
- If using an open fire, make sure embers are properly put out before you go to bed.
If using a sealed appliance, check that the door is closed.
- Always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers.
Don’t use flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to light your fire.
- Don’t interrupt the air supply by blocking air vents or air bricks.
Log Care
- Use the warmer months to dry out your logs ready for the next heating season.
- Have a moisture meter to hand to check the moisture content in your logs.
- Your logs should have a moisture content of about 20%.
- Less than 20% moisture content and you will find yourself burning through more wood than you have to.
- More than 20% moisture content and you will effectively be burning water and damaging your flue. The fire will not burn as efficiently.
