Fire statistics in Latvia are alarming – several hundreds of fires break out in Latvia every year. One of the most common causes is soot that burns in chimneys. 
While operating a heating stove, deposits build up on the inner surface of the chimney, which not only reduces the efficiency of the heating appliance, but also causes the ignition of flue gases and soot, which most often results in a fire disaster. Burning soot generates high temperatures that can reach up to 1000 ºC or even more. If there are cracks in the chimney, the fire can pass through these cracks into the flammable structures of the house and cause a fire.
Prompt cleaning of the chimney and heating system can prevent this type of fire disaster.

Solid fuel heating appliances – fireplaces, stoves of all kinds – that do not store heat for more than three hours must be checked and cleaned prior to the heating season, which starts on 1 November, as well as once during the heating season from 1 November to 1 March. 
Solid fuel boilers, heating walls, warm air and warm water heating appliances that store heat for more than three hours must be inspected and cleaned prior to the heating season, which starts on 1 November.

It is recommended to use high-quality wood and to avoid burning plastic waste. The wood must be dry – wet wood will burn poorly, the temperature of the stove will be low and the soot in the chimney will build up faster.

Oak has the highest heat output, but overheating should be avoided, as it can cause a fire disaster. Birch has a good heat output, but if the birch wood does not burn completely, its soot will form flammable plaque in the chimney. After burning birch wood, it is advisable to add several aspen logs to the stove, which will break up the soot in the chimney. Conifers have a medium heat output. It should be remembered that softwood firewood crackles and produces sparks when it burns, and is therefore unsuitable for open fires.

If wood is burning in the stove, the door must be closed and the flame must not be left unattended. Fuels and ignition agents must not be placed within 1.2 metres of the door of the stove. Do not use damaged stoves or other heating appliances!

A fire extinguisher is the most popular fire protection tool that enables the effective extinguishing of a fire or ignition in its early stages. The use of fire extinguishers in Latvia is regulated by the Fire Safety Regulations. Private houses must have one fire extinguisher and a smoke detector on each floor.

According to the technical regulations of a manufacturer, all fire extinguishers must be serviced at least once per year. Every 5 years, fire extinguishers should be opened and repaired, with refilling or replacement of the extinguishing agent, as well as replacement of the deteriorating fire extinguisher parts in the launch mechanisms, such as seals and valves.