Prevent Dryer Fires


It is very common for a clothes dryer to build up lint inside and eventually catch fire. Most of the time the lint burns itself out inside the machine leaving a burning smell and damage to the appliance. There are times however, when the flames spread, destroying a family's home, belongings, and sometimes life! Here are several important steps you can take to keep this from happening to you.

Steps

  1. Clean your lint screen. Always clean your lint screen right before you push the start button for EVERY LOAD! Even if there is just a small amount of lint on the screen, clean it anyway. This is a good habit to get into.
  2. Check your vent hose. Make sure your vent hose is in good shape. If you have the white plastic vent hose, replace it now! It is not safe and has been outlawed. Use the aluminum type vent hose and make sure the length is as short as possible and not crushed or kinked.
  3. Clean your vent line regularly. It's very important that the vent line (from the wall behind the dryer to the outside flap) is not restricted or clogged up with lint. This greatly increases your chance of a dryer fire. If you are unable to clean out this line yourself, call a professional. Many Chimney Sweep companies offer this service.
  4. Keep the area around the dryer clean. In the event that your dryer does have a lint fire, don't give it more fuel to destroy your home. Make sure there are no articles of clothing, boxes, cleaning supplies, or anything else behind or around the dryer. You should also keep things off the top of the dryer.
  5. Clean the lint out of the inside of the dryer regularly. Your dryer needs to be opened up and vacuumed out periodically. Most dryers today are not easily accessible for the homeowner. Unless you know how to take your dryer apart and put it back together, you'll need a technician to do this. Any time you have your dryer repaired, ask the technician to vacuum it out for you. He should be doing this anyway as part of the service.
  6. Make sure your gas line is in good shape. If you have a gas dryer you should check your gas line. If it looks old or questionable, you should replace it. Make sure when you push your dryer back into position, you don't kink the line.



Warnings

  • If you choose to vacuum out your dryer yourself, follow these tips:
  • Be careful not to kink the gas line.
  • If the above sounds confusing, call an honest appliance repair service instead.
  • Remember to unplug the machine first.
  • Get information about your make & model and instructions on how to take the dryer apart.
  • Do not put your vacuum nozzle inside the burner tube.(the igniter is very fragile and if you touch it -- you'll break it!)

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