While reroofing never grab onto a chimney for support unless you’re quite sure that it is solid and most aren’t. Many of the old chimneys on slate roofs have soft mortar, and the bricks can easily be lifted apart. This becomes a hazard when someone grabs onto a chimney to steady himself when moving along a ridge, and the bricks give way. Also, when taking chimneys apart, remember that bats do live in them, and sometimes bees do, too. Find them before they find you. Finally, chimney swifts (birds) also live inside chimneys in shelf like nests fastened to the side of the bricks or stone. When you peer down into the top of the chimney, a startled bird may fly out in your face. Be prepared.

Watch out for those wild creatures when you’re working on a roof. Their danger is in startling you, and you falling down from the ladder and hurting yourself.