2016 National Chimney Safety Week

    PLAINFIELD, IN, September 22, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), an average of 22,300 chimney fires occurred annually in the United States between 2011 and 2013, and although this represents a slight drop from previous years, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) believes there's still much room for improvement.

2016's National Chimney Safety Week, which is designed to educate homeowners on the inherent dangers of fireplaces and provide them with tips to reduce their risk of suffering a chimney fire or carbon monoxide-related health emergency, occurs September 25 - October 1.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends chimneys be inspected annually and cleaned as-needed. Having your chimney inspected by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep before lighting your first fire of the season, is the number one way to prevent potential damage to your home or even the loss of life that may result from a damaged or blocked chimney.

"Fall is officially here and the coming drop in temps will have many homeowners lighting their first fires of the season in their fireplaces and stoves," says CSIA Executive Director, Frances Kelly, "so this is a critical time for us to remind people of the importance of chimney and fireplace safety."

With more than 1,750 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps located across the United States, it has never been easier to find one near you. To locate your nearest CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, visit www.csia.org and enter your zip code into the locator search tool.

About the Chimney Safety Institute of America

The Chimney Safety Institute of America has been the industry leader in chimney and dryer vent maintenance education since 1983. A nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of directors, CSIA is dedicated to the education, training and certification of chimney and industry related professionals, and to educating the public about the dangers of chimney fires and other problems related to the maintenance and performance of chimney and venting systems. Nationally-recognized credentials offered by CSIA include the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician, and CSIA Master Chimney Sweep.

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