Dryer Fires - How to Prevent Them

Dryer fires have quickly become one of the leading causes of house fires in the U.S. and Canada. It is a sad situation to see fires like that happen on the news. It is heartening, though, to know that we can take steps as home owners to lower our risk in this regard. Below are a few steps to take to lower your chances of having a house fire:

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1. Clean your lint trap - This seems like such a small and logical step, but a dirty lint trap has caused many fires, and is something that may be overlooked in a hurry.
2. Clean the lint out of the dryer itself - Again, something that often gets overlooked. We may be diligent about the lint trap, but overlook lint inside the dryer itself.
3. Keep the area around your dryer clean - I think we are starting to see the theme here: Keep It Clean. Too many items crowding the dryer can increase heat retention and encourage a fire
4. Check and clean your dryer vent hose - A very important step, as the hose tends to collect quite a bi of lint.
5. If you have a gas dryer, be sure to regularly check the connections - Gas dryers are great and save energy, but a leaky gas fitting can spell disaster.

Questions? Contact me!