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We all wash our clothes on a daily basis, thanks to modern-day technology. Machinery can make our lives easier, but we must still manage this sophisticated equipment. Dryer machines aid in the rapid drying process of clothes in large amounts, but lint is a byproduct of these textiles during the drying process. Lint can accumulate on the dryer lint screen and in the air duct leading out of the house. If dryer lint builds up in this duct it can be a fire starter.
Our fire experts at United Water Restoration Group of Jacksonville would like to give you some pointers on how to avoid a lint fire. Though some of these activities may appear insignificant, they are critical in preventing a catastrophe at your house.
A dryer is a fire starter that can cause an emergency to develop, making it a potentially deadly situation. There are 2900 home laundry dryer fires reported in the United States each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. These fires result in around five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property damage.
Cleaning the exterior dryer vent might take some time, but doing so will help to prevent a major disaster. Surprisingly, the majority of these fires start in the wintertime. Not cleaning out your dryer vents is linked to 34% of these blazes. These sorts of fires are entirely avoidable as long as you follow the recommended safety measures
An easily accessible lint screen is present in every dryer, but remember to clean it after each use. This is an easy method to avoid fires that will keep your apparel and appliances fresh. This should not be a monthly or weekly endeavor; rather, it should be completed after each cycle. A build-up of dryer lint will limit airflow and can soak up excess heat, suitable for a fire. This screen should be cleaned to increase the dryer’s efficiency during each cycle. If you find any damage to the filter, replace it immediately.
Operating a dryer may appear to be straightforward, but there are several factors to consider. When you go home, avoid loading the dryer or leaving it on if possible. DO NOT put any plastics, foam, rubber, wet clothing with oil-laden yarns, or any combustible goods into the dryer.
There are a number of stain removers containing flammable chemicals, so make sure they’ve been washed before drying them. Before drying clothes stained by solvents like gasoline, paint thinners, or cooking oil, wash them twice as a safety measure.
You may always change the dryer’s temperature to a lower, more comfortable setting. If a fire occurs, call 911 immediately. The fire department will be sent to assist with the situation. DO NOT open the dryer because an increase in oxygen might speed up the fire’s spread.
The following are common signs of a clogged dryer vent:
All of this dust and allergens blocked up within the kinked exhaust hose is an ideal location for dryer lint to start a fire. Cleaning the exhaust tube might be difficult, but it is doable. Typically, you would disconnect the dryer’s exhaust hose from the wall connection as well as the exterior port. Vacuum around all three regions – dryer connection, wall connection, and the outside port. If you have a clean toilet brush, insert it into the hose and sweep out the dust. You may then vacuum up any mess that has formed on the ground after this operation is completed.
Connecting a long, flexible brush head to a screwdriver is another approach that specialists use. They may easily turn the brush and clean the tube’s interior while removing all of the dust. As long as your exhaust hose is cleaned on a regular basis, you should be fine. This is the greatest method for avoiding a dryer lint fire from starting.
Remember to check the exhaust hose of your dryer for signs of excessive lint build-up on a regular basis. Lint traps may be readily replaced after each drying cycle. This will assist to prevent lint from being drawn into the exhaust pipe.
Professional cleaning of dryer lint from the exhaust is typically done by local appliance repairmen or contractors. Our firm can help with all fire damage recovery needs if a fire breaks out small or large. Smoke and soot removal are among the things that our specialists are trained in.
Despite the fact that these fires may be prevented, we’re available for you at (904) 469-1606 if anything goes wrong. Before it’s too late, put out any potential fire hazards in your home. When you need us the most, we’re here for you!
Also, try our blog topic on 5 ways to prevent your washing machine from leaking!
