Dryer Fires and Prevention
Even though, October is Fire Prevention Month, Fire Prevention should be a year round quest. Clothes dryers are subject to fires if not maintained properly. According to the United States Fire Administration there is an average of 13,000 fires due to malfunctioning clothes dryer. Dryer fires claim 15 victims and injure nearly 300 people every year. To put dryer fires into a destruction perspective, such fires cause $88 million in property damage.
Lint build up is responsible for dryer fires. The machine runs very hot, and lint is very flammable. It is essential to clean the lint trap after every use. After every 10 uses or each month, clean the lint trap with a stiff brush and warm water and soap. This will remove the remnants of lint and prevent build up. To clean the lint trap further and more effectively, vacuum the lint trap as well as vents in the rear of the dryer at least every 4 to 6 months.
Remove the vent conduit, from the dryer to the outside vent and with a vacuum, remove any build up of lint in the conduit. There are special dryer vent brushes available for cleaning vents and lint traps. Replace the dryer conduit if it is made with foil or vinyl, as they are flammable.