Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Urges Residents to Prepare Chimneys Ahead of Autumn

As the colder months approach, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) is urging residents to prepare their homes for Autumn by ensuring their chimneys are properly swept and maintained.

The warning comes ahead of Chimney Fire Safety Week, which runs from 1–7 September, and follows a five-year period during which the Service attended over 500 chimney fires across the region. While the number of incidents has been steadily declining, HIWFRS stresses that continued vigilance is essential.

“With the Autumn chill just around the corner, now is the time to take action,” a spokesperson for the Service said. “It’s crucial that people ensure they take precautions before they light their wood burning stoves or open fires, or any other appliance that uses a chimney for the first time this Autumn.”

To help residents reduce the risk of chimney fires, HIWFRS has issued a list of simple safety precautions:
• Have your chimney swept before use, especially if it hasn’t been used for some time
• Always use a fireguard in front of open flames
• Fit a sparkguard to help prevent embers escaping
• Extinguish all fires before going to bed or leaving the house
• Never use petrol or paraffin to light a fire
• Install a working Carbon Monoxide Alarm in your home

Chimney fires can spread rapidly and pose a serious risk to both property and life. In the event of a chimney fire, residents are advised to dial 999 immediately and ask for the fire service.

HIWFRS also encourages the public to visit its Chimney Safety page for further advice and guidance on how to protect their homes this winter.

By taking preventative action now, the Fire and Rescue Service hopes to keep residents safe and reduce the number of incidents as temperatures begin to fall.