Winter is upon us, so now is the perfect time to check your chimney and fireplace before you light it in the colder months.

Fireplaces provide warmth and comfort to homes and families, but they can also become a source of unwelcome nuisance in the community.

Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, said it is important to make sure fireplaces and chimneys are safe throughout the season.

“As temperatures drop and winter sets in, the incorrect use of wood fire heaters could lead to a range of dangers for the community. Now is the time to do some checks,” Cr Fedeli said.

“It is recommended to have fireplaces inspected and fire boxes and flues cleaned on a yearly basis. A safety check could save a homeowner from a chimney fire which could cause major damage to their home.

“We can also help reduce the amount of woodsmoke pollution this winter by burning only aged dry timber. Ideally, chimneys should not vent any smoke but rather a heat haze.”

Some easy steps residents can take to start the season include:

• Have the fire box and flue thoroughly cleaned;
• Check for wear and tear and have all repairs attended to by appropriately qualified tradespeople;
• Have a ready supply of good quality dry timber and kindling; and
• Refresh your operator skills. Be sure you know how your wood heating appliance works and operate it at its optimum settings at all times.

Checking fire safety around the home is also important at the beginning of winter. This includes changing batteries in smoke detectors and taking care while using electric or gas heaters, lighting candles or while smoking cigarettes.

For more information on using wood fired heating appliances, go to camden.nsw.gov.au and search ‘wood smoke reduction program’.