Brits have been issued an urgent warning over a household fixture ahead of Christmas, with firefighters anticipating a coming surge in dangerous incidents.
While they aren’t standard issue in the 21st century, approximately 1.5 million people own stoves and log burners using wood fires as a primary heat source. They will likely stuff the fixtures and appliances during Christmas and the New Year, with temperatures expected to plummet below zero following a comparatively warm start to December.
But firefighters have warned people to take several vital steps before they even think about setting a fire in their home. For some, that may mean hiring a chimney sweep to prevent fires from becoming out of control or spawning deadly gases.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service has warned that stoves and log burners are common but not entirely safe heat sources. Dan Moss, Lincoln Fire Rescue Service’s area manager for prevention and protection, said people’s carelessness has meant the service has already attended calls for log burner fires in recent months.
He said: “We’ve already seen fires involving log burners this autumn – often because items are accidentally left on top of them or too close to them.”
Many incidents are usually seen between January and February when most chimney fires are reported.
The service warned people to ensure that they have their systems installed and maintained by a professional and that they sweep their chimneys of any lingering soot. Mr Moss said: “Depending on what fuel you burn, you may need to have them swept more often than you think.”
Fires aren’t the only hazard caused by log burning implements, as carbon monoxide may leak out from improperly installed burners.
Carbon monoxide has no smell, taste or colour, causes dozens of deaths per year, and is more likely with wood fuels that have a higher moisture content, making them smokier.
Approximately 40 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning annually in England and Wales alone, and Mr Moss has warned people to ensure they have the adequate protection installed.
He has told people to install carbon monoxide detectors, which act like fire alarms and beep whenever traces of the gas are present.
