Chimney Safety

Keeping your chimney clean and well-maintained will not only make it more efficient but also reduce your risk of having a chimney fire.

We recommend that you have your chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year.

Chimney Safety Tips

Chimney fires have been increasing in recent years with the resurgence in popularity of multi-fuel and solid fuel fires.

Whether you’ve had an open fire for years or are relatively new to it all, here’s some handy tips on how to use them safely and avoid having a chimney fire.

How to stay safe

Many people in Lancashire use open fires or log burners fitted to traditional chimneys. If you have a chimney, it’s vital that you keep it clean and in good working condition. Failure to maintain yours can result in a fire or other damage to your property. This advice can help you stay safe:

  • Actively maintain your chimney every year.

  • Burn only legal fuel materials, not household waste.

  • Take care when sweeping ashes so they don’t spread.

  • Allow ashes to cool thoroughly before binning them.

  • Check your upstairs and loft space frequently in case of smoke egress from the flue.

  • If you have a chimney fire, get out, stay out, and call us out via 999.

  • Do not try to put the fire out yourself.

If you would like further information on chimney safety you can download our chimney safety advice here (leaflet).

father and son placing wood in log burner

Chimney maintenance

You should have your chimney inspected and maintained by a qualified professional once a year.

Having your chimney professionally cleaned removes soot, spider’s webs, dust, and other waste to help it work more efficiently. Cleaning it yourself with a vacuum cleaner is not effective enough to remove these materials.

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps offers a handy online tool to help you find a local chimney sweep (opens in a new tab).

Disposal of hot ashes

Don’t forget: ashes can stay hot long after your fire has gone out.

It’s vital that you make sure your ashes are completely cool before putting them in household waste. Sweep them into an airtight, metal container and allow them to cool before binning them. A sealed container helps to prevent air being drawn through the ashes and potentially reignite them.

Consider dousing your ashes with water before putting them in your wheelie bin. This will reduce your risk of having a fire.