Cooler temperatures are here in Door County, and there are things you should do before you use your fireplace or wood furnace for the first time in several months. The National Weather Service is predicting overnight lows to be in the mid-40s to low 50s, possibly inspiring you to throw a couple of logs on the fire. Gibraltar Fire Chief Andy Bertges suggests you take preventative steps before you spark a flame.

The last week of September is traditionally National Chimney Safety Month. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was an average of 17,600 chimney fires a year between 2015 and 2017. The National Fire Protection Association recommends getting your chimney inspected yearly and cleaned as needed.