Laundry is one chore that is in everyone’s weekly routine. Washing, drying, and folding clothes are what we do without even thinking twice. However, did you know that dryers are one of the leading causes of home fires? Even worse, dryer fires are most likely to occur in the winter months. Here are a few ways to ensure the prevention of a dryer fire.
Clean Lint
One of the most common dryer fires comes from not cleaning your lint tray. Lint is close to your dryer's heating elements and when it builds up it becomes a major fire hazard. Go ahead and clean it every time that you use the dryer. Also, never run your dryer without a lint filter, it is your mainline defense when it comes to fire and many people don’t realize its importance.
Keep Area Clear of Flammables
Move anything flammables out of your laundry room such as cleaning supplies, baskets of clothes, or boxes. If a fire was to start, these items would make it spread quicker causing much more damage. Be sure to sweep dust underneath your dryer regularly as well.
Don’t Overload
When you get busy it’s easy to let your laundry pile up. An overloaded dryer can cause parts in your dryer to work overtime, producing higher temperatures. This can result in friction which can cause a fire. Stay organized and set certain days during the week to do your laundry, that way you won’t get behind and have a load that is too large.
Read Tags
Read the tags on clothes to be sure there are no special instructions before you dry them. If it says to dry on low, follow the directions. Be careful when drying other items besides clothes in the dryer as well, such as bath mats that have a rubber backing that should not get too hot.
Don’t Leave Alone
As tempting as it is, don’t leave the house or go to bed when the dryer is running. It is a good idea to be home and awake when it is running, in the case that something does happen you will be able to take care of it immediately.
We hope you will follow these important tips to keep your home safe. ServiceMaster Restoration is available to you 365 days a year, 7 days a week should you need our services. We offer the best in restoration services. We work hard to offer you peace of mind. Give us a call today (704) 324-8528.
