Dryer Fire Prevention

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

It is critical when doing laundry that you are not overfilling the machines.

It doesn’t matter if you love washing your clothes or you despise it doing laundry is a task. You have to organize, clean, dry, and fold/ hang up. Just for the following day to come, you encounter the “what do I wear” question, followed by you throwing different options on your bed. See, laundry is a task, but did you know that washers and dryers cause about 16,000 house fires each year—however, 31% of the leading causes are the failure to clean and perform routine maintenance. 

Causes of Dryer Fires

• Mechanical and Electrical Failure:

These types of fires aren’t as common as the others. To prevent these types of fires, you should check to ensure all parts are working correctly. This tip is critical, so you know if the machine needs to have any maintenance done.

• Improper Use:

When you are in a jam and think the current load can fit one or two more sweaters, you’re causing the machine to work harder. Another thing to keep in mind is the type of material that you are putting into the dryer. Some materials that aren’t suited for high temperatures are plastic, rubber, or foam, which can heat and melt, leading to a fire. 

• Dirty lint filters and vents

One of the leading causes of dryer fires are clogged vents, ducts, and filters. These filters can collect an excessive amount of dirt, grass, or other material left from the washer. Another critical thing to keep in mind is checking the outside vent, which prevents any birds, insects, or rodents from nesting and causing issues. 

Laundry might seem like an endless task, but following these simple steps can ensure that you aren’t creating perfect conditions for a dryer fire.