Fire fighters from Cambridgeshire have advised residents to try and prevent blockages in their flue accessories.
This guidance comes after fire officials from St Neots had to use chimney rods in order to dislodge a flaming bird's nest from the inside of a home's chimney flue, according to HuntsPost.co.uk.
Vinnie Crook, crew manager at St Neots, told the website: "If a chimney is not in use, it is a good idea to get it covered to prevent blockages such as bird's nests."
Meanwhile, YorkPress.co.uk has reported that North Yorkshire fire crews are advising local residents to clean their chimneys and ensure that other heating appliances are in a stable condition this winter.
This advice was prompted after the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) was alerted to two incidents involving faulty chimney breasts over the past few weeks.
A NYFRS representative told the website that the faulty parts could have led to "serious house fires" in both instances.