Ask about gutter cleaning and dryer vent cleaning while your chimney inspection/cleaning service is being performed, or better yet, when you call for your best money-saving values. Furthermore, it is possible while at your house birds may be encountered nesting inside your chimney. These federally protected birds are called chimney swifts. These birds, which look like bats, form nests, which can produce dangerous situations that might cause a chimney fire. Flammable elements like soot, creosote, leaves, and bird nests can catch fire. For your information, www.chimneysweeps.net and www.chimneysweeps.org have a wealth of information concerning these hazards. These sites discuss the venting hazards of carbon monoxide and that leaking smoke above masonry dampers can cause potential fire hazards. This is a great reason for waterproofing your chimney and installing screens or chimney caps.