Now that the colder months are upon us, chimney maintenance is the best way to ensure your home stays warm without endangering your health. Besides the obvious risk of a house fire, the professionals at The Chimney Sweep in Kernersville, KY, list four ways your chimney can pose a threat to your home and its inhabitants this winter.

Schedule chimney maintenance now to prevent these risks:

• Creosote: This black oily substance can build up inside your chimney and cause all sorts of health problems. Contact with creosote can result in rashes, eye irritation, respiratory problems, and kidney and liver problems. It can also increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Chimney Soot: When the wood in your fireplace or furnace doesn’t burn hot enough, soot will build up inside your chimney. Much like creosote, this contaminant can linger inside the shaft, causing everything from minor respiratory illnesses to life-threatening lung diseases.
• Carbon Monoxide: Even if you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, routine chimney maintenance is the surest way to find out if your chimney is free of the dangerous gas. If carbon monoxide finds its way into your home, you could experience flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, and headaches. If too much carbon monoxide is inhaled, it could lead to brain damage, heart problems, and even death.
• Chimney Swifts: Besides hazards resulting from burning wood, small birds known as chimney swifts may start to call your chimney home. Not only are the birds a nuisance—their droppings are known to cause respiratory problems. Consider using a chimney cap or chase cover to keep these critters out of your chimney.

Instead of living with uncertainty, call The Chimney Sweep at (336) 993-8999 and achieve peace of mind by scheduling routine chimney maintenance. You can also visit them online for more information on all their services.