HOMEOWNERS across Bromsgrove and Droitwich are being urged to get their chimneys professionally swept to reduce the risk of fires.
As part of Chimney Fire Safety Week, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are asking residents to have their chimney swept regularly by an registered sweep to prevent chimney damage, and, in worse cases, household fires.
They were also being urged to put up a fire guard to protect from flying sparks, make sure embers are put out, to never burn rubbish and to never use flammable liquids to light the fire.
Chimney fires accounted for more than 4,200 incidents dealt with by fire and rescue services between April 2015 and March 2016.
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.”
Further chimney safety advice and full details of chimney sweeps operating locally are listed on the Service’s website at www.hwfire.org.uk under the Safety and Advice heading.
