How to Prevent a Dryer Fire at Your Oil City Home

1/29/2023 (Permalink)

Allow SERVPRO of Crawford / NE Venango Counties, PA to give you some tips on how to clean one of the biggest fire hazards in your home.

Ugh, laundry day. It no one’s favorite chore. Yet, it needs done. But that normal household appliance known as the dryer can be dangerous. Did you know, according to Erie Insurance, “dryers cause roughly 15,500 home structure fires, 29 deaths, 400 injuries and $192 million in direct property loss each year? What’s more, most dryer fires happen in the winter.” I bet you are now thinking about your dryer. Gosh, when was the last time you really cleaned it? Allow SERVPRO of Crawford / NE Venango Counties, PA to give you some tips on how to clean one of the biggest fire hazards in your home.

• Clean the Lint - Every single time. Cleaning out the lint tray significantly decreases fires caused by the unit. You should also get into the habit of taking down the hose and clearing the pathway periodically.
• Follow the Directions - Make sure you are following the manufacturer’s instructions to a “T”. Try and make the dryer hose as straight as possible without a lot of bends and twists. This will prevent the lint from clogging up, as described above. If that just isn’t possible…have a licensed electrician install a dyer vent fan. These automatic electric devices speed up airflow through the duct every time you turn on your dryer to keep things moving along. 
• Clear Fire Hazards - If you have anything combustible near the dyer. Move it far out of the way, making sure the entire area is clear of dust, detergents and bleaches is ideal.
• Get a Metal Dryer Duct - The plastic ones tend to bend and sag and can lead to lint buildup at low points. A metal duct will keep its shape and stops fire more efficiently than a plastic or flexible foil duct.
• Read the Care Tags on Items Before Drying - Some things cannot be dried at all. Or some items may even contain rubber ingredients that cannot be dried on high heat. Make sure to peek at all tags, but especially things like bathmats, carpets, bras, and baby bibs.
• Wet Clothing After Drying is a telltale sign something is not working right. Make sure to double check for plugged exterior vents and clean the dryer vent.
• Turn the Dryer Off Before You Leave - Never leave a dryer running if you are not home.

SERVPRO of Crawford / NE Venango Counties, PA are the leading fire and water restoration company in Cambridge Springs, Meadville, Saegertown, and their surrounding areas. Fires caused by a dryer is devastating for your family and your home. It’s a stressful and confusing time, so you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis.

If you or someone you love has experienced fire damage to your home or commercial building, please do not hesitate to give your local SERVPRO a call. Call (814) 350-7651 for immediate assistance or visit our Website to learn more.