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There are several ways to determine if your chimney or fireplace damper is open or closed. A simple method is to check for airflow by placing your hand near the fireplace opening; if you feel a draft or hear wind whistling, the damper is open. An open damper might also make the room feel cooler, similar to the outdoor temperature, or cause your HVAC system to work harder than usual. For a more definitive test, you can try a visual inspection, although it may be difficult to see. Alternatively, you can light a small piece of paper and observe the smoke; if it is drawn up the chimney, the damper is open. Always use the damper handle to adjust its position.

Chimney crowns may be stone, concrete, or metal but most crowns are made of concrete. It’s not recommended to build chimney crowns with mortar (which is different from concrete) due to it’s weaker composition (especially when exposed to the outside elements). Most chimney crowns are custom made to fit your home’s specific chimney.

Depending on who’s doing the estimating, about 22,000 to 25,000 chimney fires happen each year in the United States. Given the fact that millions of Americans have fireplaces (and chimneys), that means chimney fires aren’t exactly common—but they’re not rare, either. Since they’re so dangerous, it’s important to take precautions to prevent them.

There are several maintenance tips you should take to ensure your pellet stove's safety and proper maintenance. You should vacuum the ash pan every week to prevent overflowing and clean the stove and surrounding vents every three to four months. It’s also important to get a professional inspection every year and install a carbon monoxide detector close to your stove. Be sure to dispose of hot ashes in a closed metal container; store it outside, away from the house. Only use the pellets recommended by your stove's manufacturer, and follow any cleaning and maintenance instructions.