4 Tips for Preventing Dryer Fires

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

There are many ways for a fire to break out in a home in Minneapolis, MN. One overlooked location is the dryer. There are a number of ways for a dryer fire to develop. Nearly 3,000 of these fires are reported every year, and they result in over $35 million in property damage annually. Fortunately, with some routine maintenance, you should not have to worry as much about a lint fire forming.

1. Keep the Top of the Dryer Free of Any Debris

In the event a fire does break out in your laundry room, you do not want to give it more fuel that could cause it to spread to other areas of your home. Therefore, do not leave anything on top of your dryer. This includes clothing, boxes and books. You also want to keep the areas behind and around the dryer clear.

2. Clean Out the Lint Screen After Every Load

A good habit to get into is to clean the lint screen before every use. After a while, you will start doing it without thinking about it. Even a small amount of material in the system can result in a lint fire. To remind you, you should keep a small wastebasket in your laundry room.

3. Clean the Vent Line Regularly

You should detach your vent line once in a while and make sure it is not getting clogged up by lint or various pieces of debris. If you are unsure of what to look for in the vent, then you should consider hiring a professional to come out and take a look at it.

4. Inspect the Vent Hose

Another component to examine regularly is the vent hose. If your current hose is not made out of aluminum, then you should replace it with one that is. You want the hose to be as short as possible to reduce the likelihood of it getting crushed and potentially starting a lint fire.