Be sure that both your family and Mr. Clause stay safe this year with these chimney caretaking tips.

Nobody Likes a Dirty Chimney (Especially Santa)

It’s important to get your chimney cleaned on a regular basis, even when you’re not using it as often. Overtime, leftover deposits of flammable material build up in both your fireplace and chimney. These materials can cause house fires. However, hiring professionals to clean your chimney a few times a year will keep this from happening.

Remember: if you’re not an experienced professional, it’s unsafe to attempt to clean your chimney. 

Have Your Chimney Inspected for Cracks and Other Issues

Before you light a fire, it’s important to make sure you don’t have any cracked bricks or degraded mortar. Being sure that the structure of your fireplace and chimney is sound is very important. At least once per year, a licensed chimney specialist should come out to inspect your chimney and repair any structural issues.

Check All Vents

For those of you who have gas powered chimneys, this is extremely important. The vents on your chimney allow for the fumes to be released from your home. If these vents are blocked or not working correctly, this could be very dangerous for you and your family. Again, once per year, your vents should be checked by a professional.

Make Sure Santa has a Safe Runway…

Not only should the inside of your chimney be in good shape, but making sure the outside of your home is safe for its use is imperative as well. Make sure that anything flammable such as firewood is at least 30 feet away from the outside of your chimney. The area around your chimney should be free of things like leaves, sticks, and pine needles.

…And a Safe Landing Place Inside Your Home

Preparing the inside of your home is just as important as preparing the outside. Make sure that you have a steel screen to catch any sparks or embers that are likely to pop out of the fireplace. Be sure that extra wood stays a decent distance from the fireplace and that any tools such as a fire stoker stays away from small children. Ensure that your family has a happy and safe holiday season by always being aware of fire safety rules and having an extinguisher close by.