Log burner safety warning for the new year

A lit log burner

As the temperature drops, the use of log burners and stoves goes up. Lincolnshire’s fire service is asking residents to use them carefully and make sure they are properly installed and maintained.

Over the last few years, the highest number of chimney fires have occurred during January and February.

Stoves and log burners are being used more frequently as a source of heating in homes, especially as the cost of electricity and gas increases.

There is also a risk that more people will choose to fit their own rather than pay for a professional installation. Already during the autumn there has been an incident involving a self-fitted log burner causing a domestic fire.

The services has also already attended a number of chimney fires, and incidents where either items have been accidentally left on a log burner or items such as logs or furniture have been left too close.

Dan Moss, area manager for prevention and protection at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue , said: “It’s important that residents don’t fit their own log burners unless they meet building regulations and have a certificate of compliance to evidence this. Your local district council planning team can advise you on this.

“As well as the risk or fire, if you don’t comply with these regulations, you could be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, your home may not be insured and could be prevented from selling your home.”

If you’re thinking of installing a log burner or other stove in your home, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue recommend:

  • having a HETAS-approved installer to do the work
  • making sure your installer issues you with a document that shows compliance with the law for the installation.
  • if you haven’t got the right certificates in place yet, don’t use your log burner until you do.

Any heating appliances in the home that is not electric carry a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, including stoves.

Dan added:

“If you use a log burner or multi-fuel burner in your home you MUST have a carbon monoxide detector fitted in the room it is in. Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill and detectors are a cheap and effective way to prevent it.

“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. Fires start when your attention stops – never leave lighters or other materials on top of log burners and leave plenty of space around them.

“Having your chimney swept regularly is the main way to prevent chimney fires. Depending on what fuel you burn, you may need to have them swept more often than you think.”

Published: 11th December 2023