With a recent cold snap that roller-coasted into warmer temperatures, now might be a good time to do some fall maintenance that could prevent a home fire in the colder months.

Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams reminds homeowners to replace the furnace filter if you haven’t already done so. He explains why it is important to do that heading into winter.

“We generally have three or four calls every fall and people start their furnace, they haven’t changed the filter, and sometimes the lint or the dust in there can start a quick fire that burns out pretty quickly, but it will fill your house with smoke.”

Williams recommends checking the filters once per month and if they still look new, continue to use them. He advises to also inspect the exhaust pipelines that are located on the exterior of a home.

“Just make sure that no birds have built a nest over the summer in the top of them, and just make sure that they’re free of any obstruction.” 

Williams adds for those households that utilizes a fireplace or a wood burning stove to have someone clean the area and the chimney of the creosote. He says by doing that one maintenance item, you can lower the risk of having a chimney fire.