The Fire Service attends hundreds of callouts each year to house fires that start in or around the chimney.  Many result in no major problems, but dozens still cause significant damage.  Because of this, it’s essential that homeowners have their chimneys cleaned by a professional every year.

The Insurance Council notes that people may not be covered if they let their chimney cleaning lapse – some insurers make it a condition of policies for homeowners to have their chimneys cleaned annually.  People who try to clean their own chimneys might strike insurance issues if there was a subsequent fire.

Cleaning should be done before the fire season if at all possible, so any obstructions such as birds’ nests put up during the summer, can be cleared.  It is also important for people to make sure concrete is checked as there can be holes or the mortar could have deteriorated, and this can sometimes lead to heat escaping into the ceiling cavity.

The Fire Service has created a brochure that lists precautions people can take with their fireplaces, including:

• Clean chimneys and flues before your first fire of the season
• Always use a fireguard or spark-guard with open fires
• Never throw rubbish into the fireplace – particularly batteries and aerosol cans
• Ashes can take up to five days to cool – always empty fireplace or wood burner ashes and ashtrays into a metal bin and pour water over them before disposal
• Before going to sleep, be sure your open fire is out

In Brigade news this month, congratulations to all the members of the Brigade who braved another Sky Tower Climb to raise money for the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation.  Most of the team beat their times from last year which is a great effort, and along the way raised nearly $2,000 for a very worthy cause.  A huge thanks to all our sponsors this year, especially the local Greenhithe Primary School who made a very generous donation.

Those of us with a little less energy entered the Sky Tower Climb Poker Tournament and had a great time raising money for the charity, without having to climb over 1,000 stairs!!  Just like last year, Greenhithe managed to win the Poker Tournament so well done to the team for another excellent effort!

Isabelle is back next month so until next time, please be FireWise this winter.
Deputy Chief Gareth Wallis