3 Tips for Preventing a Potentially Catastrophic Dryer Fire

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Lint fire is the most common type of dryer fire

Ways To Avoid A Lint Fire

Did you know that lint, that gray substance that comes off your clothing in dryers, carries the potential to start fires? According to The Spruce, over 20,000 fires each year may be attributed to it. Lint fire is the most common type of dryer fire. Lint is actually a combustible material. There are ways to avoid a lint catastrophe that may cause fire damage you may require a professional cleanup and restoration company from Columbia, TN, to help repair.

1. Remove Lint Regularly
Cleaning the lint filter/trap each time you put in a load is an important step. Clogged screens are dangerous fire hazards. Another important and often neglected activity that can help prevent a lint fire is cleaning out the dryer's exhaust vent. Buildups of dirt, dust and lint in these areas are also risks. Follow these steps for cleaning out the vent:

• Disconnect the dryer
• Use a brush and cloth to clean away dirt and lint from the area where the exhaust connects to the dryer
• Clean the connecting hose/pipe
• Clean the exterior vent
• Reconnect the dryer

2. Keep Other Combustibles Away
Materials like cleansers that are also flammable should be stored away from the dryer. Sweeping out dust from beneath and around the dryer is also a good precaution.

3. Pay Attention to Signs of Problems
The state of your clothing after drying may indicate an obstruction like a plugged up vent. Two signs that you need to check the exhaust vent and the duct connecting to it for excess lint or dust are clothes that are too cold and clothes that are too hot after being removed from the dryer. A burning odor is another warning sign.
It is important to keep your dryer's lint trap and exhaust vent clean of lint and dirt, as well as not ignoring signs of issues and removing anything that might contribute to sparking a fire away from the dryer itself. These actions can help prevent a possibly devastating lint fire.