Did you know that clothes dryers are the leading cause of house fires? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers cause about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries every year! Here are some tips you need to know to keep your family safe:
- Always make sure the lint filter is in place & make sure to clean it out after each use. Failure to clean out lint traps is the main cause of dryer fires.
- Make sure the dryer is plugged into an outlet that is suitable for its needs.
- Make sure the dryer is properly vented and that dryer vent flaps are not freezing shut or sticking (especially in winter). Remove lint buildup inside the vent by vacuuming occasionally.
- Pull out the dryer occasionally to vacuum away any lint behind or underneath the dryer. Learn how to remove the front panel of a dryer and vacuum inside to remove built up lint.
- Do not leave the house unattended when the dryer is on.
- Do not leave flammable items near the dryer (clothes, rags, cleaning supplies, etc.).
- A dryer is an electrical (or sometimes gas) appliance, make sure it’s serviced by a professional only.
- It’s recommended your dryer use UL- listed rigid aluminum or steel duct or spiral-wound aluminum flex hose, NOT white vinyl hose (see Page 5 – U.S. Fire Administration).
- Have a functional smoke detector placed in the laundry room (somewhere near the dryer).
