3. Sweep Your Chimney
Nearly half (46 percent) of people who own a home with a fireplace never have their chimney cleaned (swept) unless they have a problem.
Unclean chimneys are a leading cause of structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, which recommends an annual chimney inspection.
The NFPA research shows the leading factor contributing to home heating fires (30 percent) was the failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys. In the 2009-2013 period, chimneys resulted in $25 million in direct property damage each year. Improper cleaning can also lead to other serious issues including the potential for carbon monoxide, fumes and possibly soot to enter the living spaces of your home.
Here’s more information on this topic: How Often Should You Have a Fireplace Inspected and Cleaned?
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