Mile 62 by MoxiWorks Issue 42: December 2020 - The Reflection Issue | Page 8

December is officially in full swing. The lights around the house are hung, the fireplace is burning, and the weather is only getting colder. While some love the cold, others are already wishing for the long-awaited summer. Regardless of your preference, we all must bundle up and make sure our homes are prepped for the cold. Use the following tips to reach out to your sphere, prep an open house, or even remind yourself to take care of your own home!

Clean your chimneys for Santa’s arrival

A chimney is an often-neglected part of the home; now is your chance to remind your sphere to give that chimney some TLC. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, it is recommended that, “open masonry fireplaces should be swept at 1 / 8” of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system. This is considered to be enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home.”

Not only is it dangerous, you don't want to force Santa to visit the dry cleaners after the trip through your chimney. You might want to recommend a professional inspect the home, but here are some tips for a quick check yourself:

• The fireplace surrounding, hearth, and firebox should have no cracked bricks or missing mortar
• There are no animal nests or foreign objects inside the chimney
• The damper ( a fireplace damper is a simple flap inside the flue of your fireplace ) opens, closes, and seals properly