Experts recommend chimney inspections ahead of cold months
by Sean English, WSBT 22 Reporter
{p}According to Golden Gate Chimney, There is an estimated 25,000 chimney fires annually in the US, accounting for nearly 125 million dollars in property damages.{ }(WSBT Photo){/p}
But before you turn on the fire place, you may want to make sure your chimney is safe to avoid possible fires.
South Bend Fire Department responded to a chimney fire just last week.
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According to Golden Gate Chimney, There is an estimated 25,000 chimney fires annually in the US, Accounting for nearly 125 million dollars in property damages.
Winter is soon approaching and fire prevention experts say now is the time to inspect your chimney
But you should also know the ins and outs just in case..
You’re looking for any obstructions if you can. If there aren’t any, you should be all right, you should know how to open and close the damper. You should know how to open and close the doors on there and do everything properly to make it safe for your family.” said Mike Filipski – Chim-Chimney Sweeps
Filipski is a former firefighter who started his business after responding to chimney fires.
He says avoiding cleaning your chimney is not worth the danger.
For people that do use the fireplace a lot, and they don’t get it cleaned you risk, having a chimney fire, the creosote that builds up in the chimney will catch on fire. It will destroy the chimney.” said Mike Filipski – Chim-Chimney Sweeps.
South Bend Fire Department responded to a chimney fire just days ago.
Assistant Chief Gerard Ellis says chimney fires can cause a serious amount of damage and putting them out can also cause more damage
He says, the path of least resistance is to call a professional.
Just recently we had one and I think we’ve had two this fall, but there are some precautions that residents can take to make sure that their chimneys are working correctly and up-to-date. That way they don’t have to call us out there if there is a chimney fire.” Gerard Ellis-Assistant Chief South Bend Fire Department.
Chim-Chimney Sweeps also says now is a good time to clean the chimney with Santa coming in a little over 5 weeks.
We want to make sure that the fireplace is cleaned for Santa, so he appreciates that I did a thank you letter for him every year about that. Make sure the fireplace is clean.” said Mike Filipski – Chim-Chimney Sweeps.
Fire prevention officials add now is a good time to check smoke detectors and batteries of safety essentials like generators and flashlights.
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