As colder weather approaches, it’s important to make sure that your chimney is clean if you have a wood-burning fire place, according to recent news sources. A residue that builds up in chimneys when wood burns, called creosote, is highly combustible and can cause fire hazards.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual chimney cleanings.
An inspection takes an hour to an hour and a half and can cost up to $300. If the chimney has been structurally altered it may be a more extensive and expensive inspection.
The Better Business Bureau has warned consumers to be wary of chimney cleaning frauds at unusually low prices. These scammers will often claim to find structural damage or carbon monoxide leaks. Make sure to check with your BBB to avoid scams.
The Chimney Safety Institute can also help you find a certified chimney sweep on their website. To avoid chimney problems, it is recommended that you use well-seasoned firewood, which burns cleaner than green or wet wood.
As a Los Angeles Personal Injury Lawyer, I hope that you will follow these recommendations in order to ensure that you and your family are safe when using your fireplace this winter. In my experience as a product liability lawyer, I’ve seen how prevention can help avoid fires in the home.
