|
Chimneys and open fires are a common cause of domestic fires. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers the following fire safety advice to make sure that you and your family stay safe this winter.
Open Fires
- Always use a fireguard. Logs and coal should be stored outside of the fireguard, in a container designed for this purpose.
- Do not hang mirrors over fires; this encourages people to get too close to the fire.
- Make sure that clothes are not hung out to dry too close to the fire.
- Always sit at least one metre away from the fire.
- Never use paraffin or petrol to light the fire.
Chimneys
- Chimneys need to be swept at least once a year, especially if they haven't been used for sometime.
- Signs of a chimney fire can be red-hot particles falling from the chimney into the hearth or if the chimney breast is too hot to touch.
- If you suspect a chimney fire, make sure that you and your family get out of the house and call the Fire and Rescue Service immediately.
|
