With winter approaching and cool weather ahead, people who use chimneys when heating their houses are advised to get them cleaned out before use. According to Riverside Fire Chief Chad Smothers, if a chimney isn’t properly prepared, you can get a build-up inside of it which can ultimately cause a chimney fire. Depending on the quality of the chimney, it’s possible the fire could be contained within, but otherwise it could spread to the attic and elsewhere in the house. If your chimney does catch fire, Smothers says early recognition is essential. Some warning signs include an unexplained burning smell or smoke coming from the chimney, and if that happens, Smothers says to call the fire department immediately. Smothers recommends getting your chimney cleaned out once a year. There are many chimney cleaning services available, and if you’re unsure of who to talk to, he advises contacting your heating and air conditioning company.