Chimney Fire Safety Week 2025

Chimney Fire Safety Week 2025 – A Friendly Reminder From Us

This week (1st–7th September) is Chimney Fire Safety Week, and I thought it would be a good time to share a few quick tips with you. It’s all about keeping your home safe, warm, and efficient before the colder months set in.

At Sevenoaks Firewood, we talk a lot about using the right wood and looking after your fire, but chimney care is just as important. A poorly maintained chimney can easily lead to problems, and the last thing anyone wants is a chimney fire in the middle of winter.

Why it matters

Did you know chimney fires still account for more than 1% of all fires in England each year? Most happen during the busy burning season between January and March. The good news is, with a bit of care, they’re almost always preventable.

A few simple tips to keep safe

1. Get your chimney swept regularly

If you’re burning wood, the advice is to sweep your chimney at least twice a year. For coal it can be more often, and for smokeless fuels usually once a year is fine. A professional sweep will clear out soot and creosote (the stuff that really causes problems) and give you peace of mind.

2. Use a registered sweep

Always go for someone approved by HETAS or another recognised body. That way you know the job’s been done properly.

3. Burn the right fuel

This one’s close to my heart! Always choose Ready to Burn certified logs with a moisture content of 20% or less. Wet or unseasoned wood not only burns badly, it clogs up your chimney with deposits that can easily catch fire.

4. Be fire smart at home

• Don’t leave your fire smouldering overnight.

• Use a fire guard if there are sparks.

• Keep your logs stacked a safe distance from the stove or fireplace.

5. Test your alarms

It sounds simple, but make sure you’ve got working smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector near your stove. Give them a test this week if you haven’t for a while.

Let’s spread the word

This week is all about raising awareness. If you’ve already had your chimney swept and you’re stocked with good, dry logs, you’re ahead of the game. If not, now’s the perfect time to book it in before the colder evenings really kick in.

Stay safe, enjoy your fires this season, and let’s make sure none of us have any unwanted surprises this winter.

James @ Sevenoaks Firewood 🌱