Is Your Dryer and Dryer Vent Fire-Safe?
Unless you visit your local laundromat weekly or utilize a clothesline year-round, you most likely use a clothes dryer. It’s a favorite appliance of many because it is easy to buy, easy to use, and easy to clean. What a lot of homeowners (and renters) don’t realize, though, is that there’s more to a dryer than meets the eye. There’s a lot that goes into a clothes dryer to make it work and keep it safe, and just cleaning the vent trap does not make it fire-safe. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA) 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and are responsible for an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. The leading cause of these fires is the failure to clean them. That means 34% of home clothes dryer fires could’ve been prevented if they were cleaned properly.
What Home Owners Can Do
1. Professional installation
Hire a professional to install your dryer. Some warranties require that an appliance is professionally installed. A professional makes sure that the electrical outlet is suitable for the appliance. They should also properly attach the vent hose.
2. Clean the lint trap
Empty the lint trap after every use and clean the lint filter itself with a brush at least every six months. The efficiency of the dryer usually slows down if the lint trap isn’t properly cleaned. If your dryer doesn’t work as well, you need to check your lint trap.
3. Have it professionally cleaned
Cleaning the lint trap and filter is important, but that’s not all. A professional is trained to prevent fire hazards in your dryer’s interior. They also have the tools needed to vacuum and brush out excess lint from your machine.
4. Inspect the area frequently
Homeowners should inspect the parts of the dryer and ventilation hose to be sure all parts are working correctly, including the opening on the exterior of the house.
Hiring a Professional
A professional like White Glove Chimney and Air Duct puts the customer’s home and safety first. Clothes dryer safety is just as vital as chimney safety. Our professionals are experienced and trained in both, and more worried about the safety of our customers than gaining business. White Glove technicians take a measurement of airflow before and after a dryer vent cleaning. We schedule a future cleaning based on these measurements. We also recommend a product called Lint-Alert which measures your dryer’s efficiency and alerts you when you need another cleaning.
For more information about this product, ask a White Glove professional today. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.