The Dark Reality of Child Chimney Sweeps in Victorian Britain

🔥Child labor was prevalent in the Victorian era, and chimney sweeping was one of the most hazardous jobs for children.

💔Many children were forced into chimney sweeping due to poverty, workhouses, or being sold by their own parents.

👨‍👧‍👦Child chimney sweeps faced extreme physical labor, constant hazards, and the risk of burns, bruises, broken bones, and suffocation.

⛔Attempts to regulate child chimney sweeps began in the late 18th century but were poorly enforced until the 19th century.

🚫The minimum age for chimney sweeps' apprenticeship was increased to 16 in 1840, but the industry remained unlicensed until 1875.

Why were children forced into chimney sweeping?

—Children were forced into chimney sweeping due to poverty, workhouses, or being sold by their own parents.

What were the dangers faced by child chimney sweeps?

—Child chimney sweeps faced risks such as burns, bruises, broken bones, hacking coughs, eye irritation, and the constant risk of suffocation.

When were attempts made to regulate child chimney sweeps?

—Attempts to regulate child chimney sweeps began in the late 18th century, but they were poorly enforced until the 19th century.

What was the minimum age for chimney sweeps' apprenticeship?

—The minimum age for chimney sweeps' apprenticeship was increased to 16 in 1840.

When did the chimney sweeping industry become licensed?

—The chimney sweeping industry became licensed in 1875.

00:00During the Victorian era, child labor was prevalent, and chimney sweeping was one of the most hazardous jobs for children.

02:32Attempts to regulate child chimney sweeps began in the late 18th century, but they were poorly enforced.

03:58Child chimney sweeps faced extreme physical labor, constant hazards, and the risk of burns, bruises, broken bones, and suffocation.

06:34The minimum age for chimney sweeps' apprenticeship was increased to 16 in 1840.

08:00The chimney sweeping industry became licensed in 1875.