It’s that time of year to do a chimney inspection! Not just because Santa will be bowling down soon, but because we’re headed into the stormy season, which may leave you powerless and in need of some serious heat. It’s a good rule of thumb to inspect your chimney thoroughly every year to make sure there are no cracks, build up, crumbling bricks, or obstacles in the smoke chute. If you have a dirty fireplace, put ashes in a paper sack for a trip to your compost heap (and remember that ashes are alkaline so keep your addition to a 2-gallon minimum!).

When you’re ready for your romantic night by the fire, keep these simple points in mind: burn dry wood and never trash, keep your fire small to prevent flue fires (which can ruin your chimney), and don’t forget to open the damper before lighting. Enjoy!