Fires and log burners
Fires, heaters, and stoves can bring comfort and warmth to your home — but they also carry risks if not used properly. Whether you’re using an electric fire, open fire, or log burner, follow these steps to stay safe and reduce the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Electric fires and portable heaters
- Buy from reputable suppliers and check for a UKCA or CE mark.
- Keep at least 1 metre (3 feet) clear space around heaters.
- Never use heaters to dry clothes.
- Plug directly into a wall socket – avoid using extension leads.
- Turn off and unplug before bed or when leaving the house.
Open fires and chimneys
- Have your chimney swept at least once a year by a qualified sweep.
- Always use a fireguard, especially if children or pets are present.
- Burn only suitable fuels:
- Seasoned hardwood logs such as oak, ash, beech, birch, hornbeam. Aim for a below 20% moisture content which burn hotter, longer, and with less smoke or creosote build-up
- Kiln-dried logs - this are even lower moisture than naturally seasoned logs, with a more efficient burn, ideal for smaller stoves or cleaner combustion
- Briquettes (wood fuel blocks made from compressed sawdust or wood chips). These provide high heat output, low moisture, easy to store
- Approved biomass products - pellets or other solid biomass products.
- Never leave an open fire unattended.
- Find a certified chimney sweep - National Association of Chimney Sweeps
Log burners and solid fuel stoves
- Use a HETAS-registered installer to fit or service your stove.
- Burn only suitable fuels:
- Seasoned hardwood logs such as oak, ash, beech, birch, hornbeam. Aim for a below 20% moisture content which burn hotter, longer, and with less smoke or creosote build-up
- Kiln-dried logs - this are even lower moisture than naturally seasoned logs, with a more efficient burn, ideal for smaller stoves or cleaner combustion
- Briquettes (wood fuel blocks made from compressed sawdust or wood chips). These provide high heat output, low moisture, easy to store
- Approved biomass products - pellets or other solid biomass products labelled as suitable for stoves
- Always check with your stove manufacturer for compatibility
- Avoid wet or unseasoned wood, treated or painted wood, household waste or coal - these can all release toxic fumes.
- There are a number of smoke control areas in the district and in those areas you can not emit smoke from a chimney and you can only burn authorised fuels unless you use an appliance approved by Defra. You can find out if you live in a smoke controlled area by using the interactive tool or by contacting us at pollution@lichfielddc.gov.uk
- Clean out ash regularly, and dispose of it in a metal bin after cooling.
- Ventilate the room properly to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.
- Keep stove doors closed during operation to prevent sparks.
- Clean your flue regularly to prevent chimney fires
- Find a certified installer
Stay protected
- Keep a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and install a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler, wood burner, or open fire.
- Test your alarms regularly.
- Have an escape plan and make sure everyone in the household knows it.
- If a fire does start, get out, stay out, and call 999.
- For more information visit Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service's safety at home section, or Fire Kills