Is Your Chimney Ready For Winter?

Last week marked Chimney Fire Safety Week, and its purpose is simple: to raise awareness of the risks chimney fires pose and encourage homeowners to take the right steps before the colder months set in. For households across Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Berkshire, that action doesn't need to be complicated, but it does need to happen before you start lighting fires regularly.

Here's a simple breakdown of where the risk comes from, what the numbers tell us, and how to stay safe.

The current picture

In England during 2025–2026, 1,655 chimney fires were attended, down 18% from the previous year. The peak period fell between January and March, when fires and stoves are used most. That's a genuinely encouraging trend, but it doesn't mean the risk has gone away. With winter approaching, now is the right time to arrange for a competent professional to check your chimney before it

sees regular use again.

Where does the risk come from?

Chimney fires are usually the result of a buildup of flammable material, such as creosote and unburned fuel like coal and wood, which can ignite and spread quickly. A few specific causes stand out:

• Wet or unseasoned wood – burning damp wood produces extra water vapour and smoke. As that cools, creosote builds up far more quickly, and once there's enough of it, it can ignite rapidly.

• Blocked flues – flues can become blocked by leaves, bird nests, and general debris. This traps heat and stops smoke from escaping, and over time the blockage itself becomes extra fuel that can ignite easily. Regular sweeping prevents this.

What you actually need to do

There's no single fix here; it's a routine of habits and maintenance checks that keeps a chimney safe, and most of it comes down to not treating any of these as a one-off job:

• Have chimneys and flues swept and inspected by a suitably competent professional, at a frequency appropriate to the appliance, fuel, and level of use, and keep this on a recurring schedule rather than an ad-hoc one.

• Make sure the appliance and flue are properly maintained and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

• Burn only suitable, good-quality fuel. Wet or inappropriate materials increase deposits inside the chimney and raise the risk of fire; wood should ideally have a moisture content below 20%.

• Avoid letting wood smoulder for long periods, as incomplete combustion contributes to soot and creosote build-up.

• Fit suitable, working smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide alarm as part of your wider fire detection setup, and have them tested and serviced regularly.

Warning signs to watch for

• A roaring or unusually loud crackling noise

• Sparks or flames from the chimney

• Thick smoke or a strong burning smell

• An unusually hot chimney breast or surrounding walls

If you suspect a chimney fire, get everyone out, stay out, and call 999. Don't attempt to tackle the fire yourself.

The bottom line

Chimney fires can be highly dangerous and cause significant damage, but they're becoming a decreasing occurrence, and last year's figures show that trend continuing. That decline isn't accidental; it's the result of more people treating chimney safety as part of a regular maintenance routine rather than an afterthought. As we move into the colder seasons, this week is a timely reminder to prepare before fires and stoves come back into regular use. Good maintenance, sweeping away creosote and blockages, and keeping alarms serviced and in working order, remains the most effective way to reduce the risk, catch problems early, and limit the damage if something does go wrong.

Fire safety maintenance support

Prevention comes down to consistent upkeep, and that's where Commfire comes in. We work with businesses across Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Berkshire to keep fire detection and safety equipment properly maintained, so that risks like blocked flues or faulty detection are picked up before they become dangerous. If your maintenance schedule has slipped or you're not sure when everything was last checked, get in touch, and we'll help bring it back up to standard before the season starts.