Fire Safety Tip: Keep Your Dryer Vent Clean

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

Clean your dryer vent after each load!

It may surprise you to learn that one of the leading causes of home fires is your dryer vent. When your dryer vent becomes clogged with lint, it is susceptible to catching fire. That can result in plenty of costly fire damage to your home.

There's a reason why clothes dryer fires are so common. Lint is actually extremely combustible. When it accumulates in your  dryer, and the heat from drying comes in contact with it, it's little surprise that this material occasionally bursts into flame. Keep your lint trap clean!

However, this isn't the only way to reduce the possibility of a clothes dryer fire. You also need to check your dryer's vent hose. Make sure the hose is aluminum, and that it is not kinked or crushed. If the flow of hot air is obstructed, you'll boost the chances of a fire. You should also clean your vent line often. Lint can accumulate inside the hose, and that can also increase the likelihood of a fire. If you can't clean the hose on your own, hire a contractor to tackle this job.

Keep the area around your dryer clean. If your dryer does start a fire, you want that fire to spread as slowly as possible. Keeping boxes, clothing and other items away from your dryer will help keep any fire contained.

If you do suffer a dryer fire, know that you can call on the professionals at SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties. We can help with fire restoration efforts and with cleaning up the results of fire damage.

No one wants to suffer any type of fire. A fire that is as easily preventable as a clothes dryer fire, though, can be particularly upsetting. Make sure to keep your dryer's vents and lint trap clean to avoid these costly fires.