During this holiday season, enjoy a cozy fire in your home – but do so safely 

This is the time of year when many of us like to curl up in front of a crackling fire with a good book and maybe a friend. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, while you are sitting there you might want to consider whether your chimney needs cleaning.

Creosote is a highly flammable, black residue that builds up in your chimney as a result of burning wood. To keep your system clean and prevent a chimney fire, The National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney swept once a year. Spring or fall is the best time to have this done, but it can’t hurt to schedule it now while it’s on your mind.

Find a certified chimney sweep and other great resources on chimney care and fireplace safety here. 

If you just bought your home, you may not know when the last cleaning was done. Here are some signs that you may be due for a cleaning:

• There’s a smell of burned wood coming from the fireplace even when it’s not being used.
• Smoke comes into the room when a fire is burning – even though the damper is open.
• The damper is black. Shine a flashlight up and scratch the damper with your fire poker. If you can scratch a groove more than 1/8 inch deep, schedule a cleaning now for the spring. If you can scratch a groove more than 1/4 inch deep, do not use your fireplace until it has been cleaned.

And don’t forget the chestnuts!

Have a safe and happy holiday season.
From all of us at PRG!