There’s nothing like a cosy fire on a freezing evening.

But Cork City Fire Brigade is warning Cork householders that the way in which you store your extra fuel could prove to be a major fire hazard.

Stacking firewood in a neat pile beside the stove is a trend among fans of Scandinavian design, but it’s a really terrible idea as far as safety is concerned.

“One of our brigades attended a home which had filled with smoke due to timber blocks stores too close to a stove.” Cork Fire Brigade told their Twitter followers.

“The timber had been smouldering. Only for a smoke detector working, the result could have been much worse.”

A few tips regarding stoves to remember during this current spell of cold weather.#BeWinterReady#STOPfire pic.twitter.com/9zADbEa9NO

— Cork County Fire Service (@corkcountyfire) February 10, 2021

Cork City Fire Brigade offered the following tips for using your wood-burning stove safely in the coming months:

• Keep a clear space around your stove
• Don’t overload the stove and leave it unattended
• Have working smoke alarms – test them.
• Have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the room where your stove is.