FIREFIGHTERS in Wiltshire want to highlight the risk of fires in thatched properties as part of National Chimney Fire Safety Week.

All next week, the Fire and Rescue Service will be working with NFU Mutual to hold information days around the county.

At each event firefighters will be on hand to advise home owners on the best ways of keeping their properties safe.

“As a county, Wiltshire has the second largest number of thatched properties in England after Dorset,” crew manager Shaun Milton from the rural safety team said.

“We have been successful in bringing down the number of fires involving homes with thatched roofs, but we are very aware of the devastation that such blazes can cause – as such, we want to keep educating people about how they can help themselves.”

Although the events are targeted at people who own or live in thatched homes, anyone can ask for fire safety advice.

They will take place in Marlborough High Street on Wednesday (September 9) from 8am to 4pm; Devizes Market Place on Thursday (September 10) from 8am to 4pm and Pewsey Fire Station on Friday (September 11) from 10am to 4pm.

Part of the display will be a miniature thatched roof, provided by a local thatcher, so that people can see first-hand how thatch is put together and the challenges it presents to fire crews.

Amongst the top safety tips for a thatched property are:

•Have the chimney swept regularly by a qualified chimney sweep.

•Only burn seasoned wood.

•If you have a spark arrestor fitted, clean it regularly. This should be done every three months on chimneys in regular use and the arrestor should be taken down to clean.

•Fit a bird guard to deter birds from building nests in chimneys.

•Consider a system of heat sensors within the thatch around the chimney. This will give you an early warning of any overheating of the thatch.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks to anyone who lives in a thatched home – call 0800 389 7849 to request a visit. Alternatively, go to wiltsfire.gov.uk/thatchedproperties for more information.