The tragic death of a five year old boy in Sale resulting from the collapse of a brick chimney has prompted a warning from Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Archicentre General Manager David Hallett said "brick work, especially in older homes, needs to be treated with care and people need to be aware it may not be as solid as it looks especially if mortar has deteriorated or the wall has developed a crack."

Mr Hallett said, the fact that bricks are heavy, have sharp edges and can fall in groups make them extremely dangerous in a collapse situation.

"We urge all home owners to monitor brick structures and get expert advice from an architect or engineer if cracks start to appear or if walls or fences show any sign of leaning."

"One of the other dangerous situations for children involving brickwork is caused by the installation on basketball rings on the single skin brickwork parapets above garage doors, which has resulted in serious injury and fatalities in the past," Mr Hallett said.