{"id":3410,"date":"2024-01-25T11:11:59","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T11:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schofields.ltd.uk\/blog\/?p=3410"},"modified":"2024-01-25T14:13:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T14:13:21","slug":"holiday-cottage-open-fire-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schofields.ltd.uk\/blog\/3410\/holiday-cottage-open-fire-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Log Burning Stoves in Holiday Cottages"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Warming<\/p>\n

The appeal<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

An open fire or wood burning stove in your holiday cottage can be one of its biggest selling points and one of the most requested features by holiday let guests, especially during the colder months. After all, who doesn\u2019t dream of sitting in front of a cosy log fire on a chilly evening while on holiday.<\/p>\n

Installing a wood burner will give your holiday cottage year-round appeal and boost your low-season bookings. They can also be an efficient way to heat your holiday home and reduce energy bills.<\/p>\n

The risks<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

However, compared to other heat sources wood burning stoves and open fires come with additional maintenance requirements and risks, especially if your holiday home is listed or thatched. There are approximately 3,000 chimney fires in England each year.<\/p>\n

A lot of the time it\u2019s not the wood burner that\u2019s the problem, it\u2019s the guests. There is an obvious risk that guests and small children could burn themselves. Guests who have zero experience operating open fires and log burners can create fire risks. We have dealt with claims where guests have stacked up fires and then departed to the local pub, upon returning they found an imminent house fire caused by smouldering stray embers on the carpet.<\/p>\n

There are also accounts of guests emptying what they thought were cold embers into plastic bins, only for the hot ashes to smoulder and melt the bin. Ash can smoulder for days and this is a significant fire risk. Luckily the property wasn\u2019t burnt to the ground.<\/p>\n

Chimney fires<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

There are approximately 3,000 chimney fires in England each year. Whilst the consequences of chimney fires can be extremely expensive, disruptive and even fatal, regular sweeping to avoid the catastrophic consequences a fire can have on your holiday cottage.<\/p>\n

Any full or partial blockage to your chimney or flue presents a risk of both fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. These blockages can be caused by a variety of reasons, from birds nesting to the ongoing buildup of soot.<\/p>\n

It is recommended that your stove is serviced annually, and the chimney is swept quarterly if burning wood or coal, or just once a year if burning smokeless fuel. The Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps (www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk) and The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (www.nacs.org.uk) have a network of members throughout the country.<\/p>\n

Log burner safety tips to protect guests and your holiday cottage<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

As a holiday let landlord you have an obligation to mitigate risks and keep your guests safe. Here are some ways to reduce log burner and open fire risks in your holiday let.<\/p>\n