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How to Reduce Your Risk of Becoming a Victim of a Home Fire

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In today's society we are blessed with many items that make our life much easier than it was for people in the days of our grandparents. After all, we have microwaves, a wide range of communication devices, indoor plumbing, and even the ability to wash and dry our clothes indoors. Of course, all of these advancements come with a price, one the most important is that of taking time to maintain that these items are working properly. And while not all of these modern conveniences require exorbitant amounts of maintenance, properly taking care of your dryer is one that can have devastating results if it is overlooked.

Consider the Facts

  • Home clothes dryers are a blessing enjoyed in 80% of the homeowners in America.
  • A full load of wet laundry placed in a dryer contains approximately 1/2 a gallon of water.
  • Lint is created as the water is removed from the laundry.
  • Your dryer is one of the most costly appliances to use in your home; the longer it runs, the more it costs.
  • The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that clothes dryers are responsible for 15,500 fires resulting in 10 deaths, over 300 injuries, and more than $84.4 million in property damage each year.
  • On the positive side, the number of fires caused by clothes dryers has lowered by 35% from the average 24,000 fires that occurred annually in the late 1970s.

What Can be Done to Prevent a Fire Caused by Your Dryer

Obviously, nobody wants to become part of the statistics for home fires caused by the dryer. So taking a few simple precautions is important. Here are a few proactive measures you can take to significantly lower your risks.

  • Always clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Be sure to clean the back of the dryer where lint can be trapped.
  • Be sure to have a professional clean the dryer and venting system at least once a year. If you see that it is taking a long time for the clothes to dry, clean out the vent system so that air flow is better.
  • If you have plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting. Not only will this reduce the risk for fires, but will extend the life of your dryer and lower the cost of using it.
  • Never dry items that anything flammable (i.e. alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry cleaning solvents) has been spilt on as they can release vapors that could cause a fire to ignite or explode.
  • Be sure to read the manufactures instructions for the use, care and cleaning of your clothes dryer. Be sure that any manufactures warning or labels have been read and that they are followed each time you use the dryer.
  • Don't use the dryer to dry athletic shoes or foam backed rugs as they can release materials that easily clog the vents and cause a fire.

For more information on dryers and prevention of dryer fires, please visit www.twincitiesdryerguy.com or call 651-792-5626.

Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of The Dryer Vent Wizard.

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