Winter may be over, but the importance of chimney maintenance is still being stressed by the Fire Service.
Three chimney fires in Wanganui over the past seven days have prompted a warning from fire risk management officer Bob Wills-Rawlings.
Mr Will-Rawlings said chimneys needed to be checked annually for soot build-up or any defect that could cause house fires.
While the three recent chimney fires had not caused major damage or injury, the potential danger was there, Mr Wills-Rawlings cautioned.
People should also make sure fires were definitely put out before going to bed.