Illinois has seen deep cold in recent weeks, and some residents have the luxury of having a chimney for their home to keep warm. But one central Illinois fire official is reminding residents of the importance of proper chimney maintenance. Andy Goodall is the Assistant Fire Chief at a fire department in central Illinois. He says homeowners should have their chimney inspected by a professional annually to make sure it is in working order.

Goodall says it’s also important to avoid using corrosive firewood in chimneys, as that will create buildup in the chimney that could spark a fire.