Basics of Preventing Dryer Fires

9/24/2020 (Permalink)

Clean the lint filter before every load

It may seem strange, but without proper attention, your clothes dryer could become the source of a lint fire. Believe it or not, 2,900 of these blazes are reported every year, causing a whopping $35 million in property damage. Prevent this danger from striking your home by following a few commonsense rules.

Dangerous Clothes Dryer Behaviors

To prevent a dryer fire from starting in Newtown, PA, you should avoid:

• Stuffing more in your system than it can reasonably handle.
  
• Attempting to dry anything made of foam, plastic, glass fiber or rubber.
  
• Using your appliance without a lint filter or one that is damaged.
  
• Leaving your dryer running unattended.
  
  

Heeding the above warnings can prevent a lint fire from striking your home, a traumatic event that could inevitably require the services of a fire damage restoration expert.

Safe Clothes Dryer Practices
Be extra cautious by having installation performed by a certified professional. Once this is done, double-check to see that your plug and outlet have been properly connected. Read your instruction manual thoroughly, paying special attention to voltage warnings as well as usage instructions. Also, maintain your dryer by having it periodically cleaned by a licensed specialist. When it begins taking longer than normal to achieve typical results, this is a good sign an inspection should be scheduled.
Clean the lint filter before every load and brush out the vent pipe’s interior once every three months. Maintain outdoor ventilation by clearing away nests and insects, as well as using wall dampers to prevent weather-related complications. Check to see that the vent covering opens when your machine is in use and remove anything flammable from your laundry area. Before leaving for extended periods, never forget to first disconnect your appliance.
Reduce the odds of a lint fire by avoiding risky actions. Even better, create an extra layer of assurance by diligently maintaining your system from the moment it arrives.