Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake has urged New Zealand residents to ensure their chimneys are reinforced, to prevent collapses during earthquakes.

It says more than 15,000 chimneys were damaged or toppled in the 2011 Canterbury disaster, leading to injuries and deaths.

“Pretty much every major earthquake over the past 170 years has shown that crumbling chimneys pose a significant risk to people’s safety and to our homes,” public education manager Hamish Armstrong said.

“Brick and concrete masonry chimneys are particularly vulnerable, as they can crack, shift or collapse, causing damage to people and property.”    

Mr Armstrong says special attention is required on chimneys built before 1970, modern flues that have retained old chimneys, or any structure showing signs of damage such as cracking or leaning.

The safest option is removal, but alternative fixes are available.  

“We recommend engaging a licensed building practitioner to assess your chimney conditions and provide removal quotes if needed,” Mr Armstrong said.  

The NHC highlights the case of a Wellington family who narrowly avoided a chimney falling on their baby’s cot during the 2016 Kaikoura quake.

“If it had fallen a different way, it would've crushed our son,” the child’s mother said. “We didn't realise how close we came to disaster.”