Preventing Dryer Fires in your Webster home

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Be sure you clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry goes in.

When you own a home, there are some things you just know you should take care of... gutters, changing air filters etc. But how much time do you think about cleaning your dryer vent? 

According to the US Fire Administration, around 2,900 fires a year are caused by clothes dryers.

Signs you need to clean your vent:

- Clothes are taking longer to dry than usual. 

- Clothes have an unpleasant kind of burnt smell.

- Laundry room feels more hot and stuffy than usual.

What can happen if you don't clean your dryer vent:

- Fires

- Excessive wear and tear on your dryer

- Higher than normal utility bills

Most of us assume that the lint filter catches ALL the lint from the load of laundry. This is not true. A large amount of lint gets built up inside the actual dryer vent/trap and duct. 

Use a vacuum attachment to remove any excess lint built up in the vent (under the trap). And always clean the lint trap after/ before each load. 

Cleaning dryer ducts:

Disconnect and clean the duct on a regular basis, or hire a professional to do so. This will drastically improve your dryers performance and reduce the risk of a fire. 

Check out this video for a more in-depth tutorial on getting all that lint out of your ducts and trap! 

PS life hack: take all that lint from the dryer, and make fire starters!