Concerns have been raised the cost of living crisis could cause chimney fires in Perth and Kinross.
Councillors were last week encouraged to warn residents of the potential dangers from the likes of reopening old chimneys.
The fire risks were highlighted at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council's Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee on Wednesday, September 7.
The issue was raised as the quarterly report for April 1 to June 30, 2022 of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in Perth and Kinross was presented.
It came following a question from the committee's vice convener Jack Welch. The SNP Strathmore councillor asked about potential fire concerns resulting from the energy crisis and residents reopening old chimneys.
He said: "Is there anything we or the fire service can do to send out notification to people to get their chimneys swept?"
Area manager Scott Gibson said there were a number of potential dangers from single room living, using old gas appliances, bypassing gas metres and opening old fireplaces and chimneys.
He added: "As you say, there is potential for fires to occur within chimneys and then spread into roof spaces especially if they are old and dilapidated then there's potential there for that fire spread.
"So we do currently as we are out and about throughout Perth and Kinross we are putting that message out and would encourage members to do the same when they are speaking with constituents.
"As we know Perth and Kinross is a large rural area with a lot of chimneys and people are going to look at any ways they can to heat their homes to try and reduce costs."
