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With a sunny bank holiday weekend stretching out ahead, it might feel like the perfect time for a family barbecue, or clear-out into a back garden bonfire. But councils up and down the country are pleading for residents to think about their neighbours before lighting a fire.
Smoke from fires can make breathing difficulties 'critically worse', according to one fire service. Coronavirus is a respiratory disease, so there are concerns about breathing in extra smoke, especially when warmer weather means more homes will have their windows open.
Councils which have published information about lighting fires during the coronavirus pandemic include:
Keep up to date with our latest coronavirus news and advice.
Pollution from vehicles has reduced significantly over the past few weeks while people are driving and using public transport less.
However, some areas, including the London Borough of Bromley, have seen an increase in particulate matter. London councillors think this is owing to garden bonfires.
Wirral Council and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Services said that smoke from domestic bonfires can cause breathing difficulties to become 'criticially worse'.
COVID-19 can cause respiratory problems for people who contract it. Those who are managing symptoms at home and opening windows to allow in fresh air risk breathing in smoke from neighbouring properties having barbecues or bonfires.
Erewash Borough Council explained: 'Poor air quality could worsen breathing difficulties. With people having to stay at home, there's an increase in people lighting wood-burning stoves and garden bonfires.
'The increased smoke particles from things such as chimneys and wood-burning stoves impact directly on lung health and cardiac health - two of the most at-risk groups for COVID-19'.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: 'Pollution from wood-burning stoves and garden bonfires can be damaging to people's health, particularly if they have an underlying respiratory condition which may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19.'
If you need to burn solid fuel to heat your home or water, choosing carefully what you burn and how you burn can make a big difference to the amount of pollution you produce.
Need a chimney sweep or expert to maintain your stove? Which? Trusted Traders have to pass our rigorous assessment process before being allowed to use the Which? logo.
If you're considering buying a wood-burning stove, look for an efficient one. Stoves which will meet new rules for efficiency (which will become law in 2022) are called Ecodesign Ready stoves. They will produce 80% fewer potentially harmful particles than those from 10 years ago.
Find out more about stoves and pollution in our dedicated guide, plus read our tips on maintaining your stove.
Experts from across Which? have put together the advice you need to stay safe and make sure you're not left out of pocket.