KY News - Get your fireplace checked to avoid hazards

Get your fireplace checked to avoid hazards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Winter weather has made its way into the Bluegrass and people are getting ready to light up their fireplaces.

But according to Brion Barnhill, who owns Barnhill Chimney, there’s one thing you should do before lighting that fire. Get your fireplace cleaned.

“We inspect the chimney afterward to make sure it’s in good shape and you can enjoy your fireplace safely for the rest of the season,” said Barnhill.

Barnhill says phones have been ringing off the hook with people calling to get their fireplaces checked and they are now booked out weeks in advance.

He adds they look for things others can’t see with the naked eye, like creosote in the chimney from burning wood, which if not properly maintained could catch on fire.

“When you call us out, we’re going to thoroughly inspect the system. We’re going to run a video camera all the way up through it where you can’t see with the naked eye. We’re going to get on top of your roof and we’re going to make sure that everything is in good shape top to bottom. ”

Barnhill says wood burning fireplaces aren’t all that should be checked.

“A lot of people don’t realize that gas fireplaces also are an appliance. And they need to be inspected yearly and also serviced. ”

One of the main reasons to have your gas fireplace checked is to help avoid carbon monoxide issues.

Some tips to remember once you have your fireplace going are to never leave a fire unattended, keep children and pets away from the fireplace and use only dry wood.

Barnhill says everyone should have their fireplace or chimney checked once a year.

Categories: Featured, Local News, News

Tags: barnhill chimney, brion barnhill, Chimney, Fireplace, fireplace cleaning, fireplace safety

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