Chimney fires
Chimney Fire Safety
Week runs from Monday 26 September to Sunday 2 October so take this
opportunity to book a chimney sweep to remove any soot or debris
before you light the fire.
Chimneys with fires using smokeless fuel,
bituminous coal, oil and gas should be swept at least once a year,
those using wood should be swept every three months when in
use.
When lighting your fire:
- Don’t use
flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin
- Don’t burn
paper or rubbish
- Don’t
overload the fire with fuel
- Go into the
loft occasionally when the fire is alight to check for smoke from
cracks, defective brick work or mortar joints
Electric blanket testing
When
choosing your electric blanket, you should buy it from a reliable
source. Check that it has a UK safety standard mark.
Here are some safety tips:
- Always buy
new when choosing an electric blanket - never buy secondhand
blankets, they may not be safe and you can’t be sure they
meet current safety requirements
- Always read
and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use
- Examine your
blanket regularly for signs of wear or damage
- Don’t use
the blanket while it’s still folded or creased
- Don’t use a
hot water bottle at the same time as using your electric
blanket
- Never use
the blanket if it’s wet or damp
Avon Fire
& Rescue Service has teamed up with trading standards teams to
hold electric blanket testing sessions. You can bring yours along
to have it checked before winter at the following locations:
Bath & North East Somerset
Tuesday 27 September, 9.30am – 4pm
Midsomer Norton Council Chamber
Thursday 29 September, 9.30am – 4pm
Keynsham Fire Station
Friday 7 October, 9.30am – 4pm
St Philip and St James Church, Odd Down, Bath
Tuesday 18 October, 9.30am – 4pm
New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, Bath
Book an appointment on 01225 396759
South Gloucestershire
Friday 14 October, 9.30am – 4pm
Yate Fire Station Community Safety Centre, Station Road, Yate
Bristol
Wednesday 12 October, 9.30am – 4pm
Whitchurch Health Centre, Armada Road, Whitchurch, Bristol
Wednesday 19 October, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Southmead Fire Station Community Safety Centre, Southmead Road,
Southmead, Bristol
North Somerset
Tuesday 25 October, 10am – 2pm
Safe and warm action day
Nailsea Fire Station, Pound Lane, Nailsea
Electric blanket testing, home security
advice, home repairs, cooking safety demonstration, fire safety
advice and low energy lighting display
Heaters
Plug-in heaters use a lot of electricity and generate a
lot of heat. This means they can be dangerous if they are not
bought from reputable shops and used correctly.
Safety tips
- Position
heaters clear of curtains and furnishings
- Keep
at least three feet - one metre - away from them
- Have
fireguards to prevent and protect children and/or pets coming in
contact with them
- Never dry
washing on or near them (or on fireguards)
Smoke alarms
Working smoke alarms
provide an early warning that a fire has broken out and can give
you vital extra minutes to escape, especially at night.
-
Make sure you have a working smoke alarm
fitted on every level of your home
-
Check the batteries are working at least
once a week
-
Keep your smoke alarm clean and free from
dust
Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke is
enough to make you lose consciousness, so a working smoke alarm
really could save your life.