National Chimney Fire Safety Week

You probably won't be aware that this week is National Chimney Fire Safety Week.  With weeks for pretty much everything nowadays, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is one that you may not need to bother about - but in fact it is all about reminding you to check your chimneys before you start using fires or stoves as the chilly weather approaches.

One of the main causes of chimney fires is people using unseasoned or wet wood or not having their chimney swept. Over the years, we've had a number of customers who've thought they had a problem with their chimneys only to discover that they hadn't swept them for years and a visit from the sweep quickly sorted out the problem. All chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year - and you should get a sweep certified by the National Association of Chimney Sweeps to do the job. At Westcombes, we can recommend someone to you.

Chimney fires may not sound dangerous, but they really can be extremely dangerous so do stay safe and get your chimney swept regularly and use good quality fuel.

Special offer on our kiln-dried logs this autumn

It's not quite cold enough to put the heating on, but getting home after a day in this wet weather nothing is more welcoming than a warming fire or stove. We've had more and more of our regular customers coming over the last few days to stock up on kiln-dried logs and kindling, and we wanted to let you all know about our new offer on logs.

If you come into the shop to buy your logs and can take ten bags or more, we are now selling them at a discounted rate of £5.50 a bag. For fewer than ten bags, they are still priced at a competitive £6.

We've been selling kiln-dried logs at Westcombes for a couple of years now, and we've found that practically every customer who has come in to buy a bag has returned   for more. They really are completely different from the bags of logs you may be used to buying at your local garage which are often damp and unseasoned. Our kiln-dried logs contain very little moisture which makes them easier to light, and means a cleaner burn - which will help reduce the chance of smoking and a stained glass window in your stove.

Come and try a bag next time you're passing - we're sure you'll see the difference!

HETAS approval for Westcombes

We're delighted to be the first stove and fireplace retailer in South East London to be approved by HETAS, the official body recognised by the Government to approve solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services.

The HETAS Approved Retailer certification means that you know we meet the HETAS standards for service quality - and you can feel confident knowing that we have the HETAS seal of approval.

Our managing director, Max Davies, who has more than thirty years experience working with fireplaces and stoves, has been trained and examined to make sure everything we do at Westcombes is just as it should be - and we're proud to be South East London's first approved fire and stove store!