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Did you know that your dryer could be a major fire hazard? Every year, both gas and electric dryers are responsible for over 13,000 fires in people’s homes. These fires can be devastating and could be easily prevented with adequate care and maintenance. We are going to show you how to keep your family safe and your home fire-free with a few easy tips that you can get started with right away!
One of the most common reasons behind a dryer fire is lint build-up. Lint is made up of the tiny pieces of fabric fibers that fall off our clothes during drying. They are highly flammable and are the cause of fires in almost a third of all cases. The lint filter, which is located inside the dryer, is meant to be cleaned after each and every single load. This will not only reduce the risk of fire, but it will also help your clothes to dry faster.
You can easily clean the lint filter by firstly pulling out any large wads of lint in the filter and then using a nylon brush to clean the remainder. This is a simple process that will only take a few minutes but can save you from a potentially deadly situation.
You should also never use your dryer without a lint filter. This will blow more lint into the vent system and significantly increase the risk of a fire starting. If your lint filter is damaged or you’re simply in need of a new one, we have wide range of OEM lint filters for your convenience.
A clogged vent blocks hot air that is meant to flow out of your dryer. This hot hair becomes trapped inside the dryer and substantially increases the risk of a fire. If you notice that your dryer seems to be overheating or that clothes are taking longer to dry, your vent might be clogged. You should clean your vents once a year or more. If you think you might forget to do it, just remember that October is fire prevention month, and plan to do it then. You can use a simple manual brush to clean your ductwork or if you really want to get fancy you can buy a brush that connects to a drill and let it spin all the dirt away.
While gas dryers are often held responsible for dryer fires, electric dryers are also a culprit. It’s possible that the power cord on your electric dryer may come loose due to regular movements. Check your power cord often to make sure that it is in place and not cracked or damaged, as this could result in an electric shock and increase the risk of a fire.
Ensure that the dryer vent is in good condition as well. Dryer vents may become loose or pop off the machine due to regular movements. This could result in a build of lint at the back of the machine that you may not notice until it’s too late. Therefore, check the back of your dryer regularly and make sure everything is connected as it should be.
It’s also important to note what kind of material your vent is made from. A vent that is made with plastic or foil, traps more lint and is more susceptible to clogging. It will require more care and maintenance. However, you can hire a professional to replace these with metal hoses if you wish.
As you do this, be sure to check that the vent cap is sealed and working properly. The cap is responsible for protecting the vent from dirt, debris, and insects that can climb in there. Moreover, the cap also reduces the amount of lint that can build up in the area and makes the cleaning process that much easier. So, make sure to check that the vent cap is in good condition.
If this all seems a little overwhelming for you, just remember that you don’t have to do it all yourself. There are many affordable, professional services that can clean your vents and ductwork for you. It’s a small price to pay for safety!
Now that you know what to do, it’s also important for you to know what not to do in order to lower the risk of a fire in your home.
It’s important to educate everyone in your household on how to maintain and care for your dryer. This will prevent accidents and keep everyone safe. It can also be helpful to keep a calendar or schedule on when you will clean the dryer and venting to ensure that you don’t forget to do it.
We hope this information will be helpful to you and your family. If you would like to know more about how you can care about the appliances in your home we have a guide to help you out!
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