Dryer Fire Prevention

According to the Consumer Safety Product Commission there are an estimated 15,600 fires, 20 deaths, and 370 injuries caused by clothes dryer fires. In a newsletter published by FEMA failure to clean is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings. Here is the link to the FEMA newsletter: https://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v7i1.pdf.  

 WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK FOR:

• Clothes are talking more than one cycle to dry, especially jeans and towels.

• No lint visible on lint screen.

• Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle.

• Clothes have moldy smell after dry cycle.

• Clothes are very hot after a dry cycle 

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE

• Be sure that vent systems are up to code.

• Replace plastic or foil venting material with semi-rigid or solid metal venting.

• Clean lint tray screens before and after drying a load.

• Wash lint screens with soap and water every few months to remove residue left behind by fabric softeners.

• Have dryer vents professionally cleaned and inspected annually.

• Don't keep combustibles like chemical cleaning products or chemical laden rags near dryers.

If you would like a free Dryer Vent Check safety Tool Kit go to www.DryerVentWizard.com.