THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021
Unfortunately, thousands of fires each year are caused by clothes dryers. As a homeowner, you likely use this appliance regularly, which means you should know the risks of clothes dryer fires and how to prevent them. Read on to learn more.
The Stats
According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 14,693 fires each year are caused by clothes dryers. These fires often result in hundreds of injuries and an estimated $238 million in property damage claims.
Do’s and Don’ts of Dryer Safety
Here are some clothes dryer dos and don’t’s to follow in order to help keep both you and your family safe.
-
Do read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow all of the safety instructions.
-
Do clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry.
-
Do regularly clean the area behind the dryer where lint can get trapped as well.
-
Do hire a qualified service technician to clean the interior of the dryer and venting system on a periodic basis.
-
Do replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with metal venting.
-
Don’t overload your dryer. Overloading not only causes drying to be delayed, it may also cause the dryer to break down.
-
Don’t dry clothing or fabrics that contain flammable solutions such as alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers and dry-cleaning solvents. These substances give off vapors that can ignite and explode.
Dryer Maintenance and Fire Prevention
Lack of maintenance is the number one reason for dryer fires, according to Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a respected product testing organization. When consumers do not clean the lint traps or vent systems, they are running the risk of a fire.
In recent years, the UL has changed its standards for electric dryers to recommend that consumers not only clean lint traps and lint from around the lint screen and routing wiring. For more information on dryer maintenance, click here.
Summary
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to preventing a disastrous clothes dryer fire in your home.
No Comments
Post a Comment |
|
Required
|
|
Required (Not Displayed)
|
|
Required
|
All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only.
It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional
in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between
you and the blog and website publisher.
|
Blog Archive
|
|