How to Prevent Dryer Fires
Clean your lint screen., Check your vent hose., Clean your vent line regularly., Keep the area around the dryer clean., Clean the lint out of the inside of the dryer regularly., Make sure your gas line is in good shape.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Clean your lint screen.
Always clean your lint screen right before you push the start button for EVERY LOAD! Even if there is just a small amount of lint on the screen, clean it anyway.
This is a good habit to get into. -
Step 2: Check your vent hose.
Make sure your vent hose is in good shape.
If you have the white plastic vent hose, replace it now! It is not safe and has been outlawed.
Use the aluminum type vent hose and make sure the length is as short as possible and not crushed or kinked. , It's very important that the vent line (from the wall behind the dryer to the outside flap) is not restricted or clogged up with lint.
This greatly increases your chance of a dryer fire.
If you are unable to clean out this line yourself, call a professional.
Many Chimney Sweep companies offer this service. , In the event that your dryer does have a lint fire, don't give it more fuel to destroy your home.
Make sure there are no articles of clothing, boxes, cleaning supplies, or anything else behind or around the dryer.
You should also keep things off the top of the dryer. , Your dryer needs to be opened up and vacuumed out periodically.
Most dryers today are not easily accessible for the homeowner.
Unless you know how to take your dryer apart and put it back together, you'll need a technician to do this.
Any time you have your dryer repaired, ask the technician to vacuum it out for you.
He should be doing this anyway as part of the service. , If you have a gas dryer you should check your gas line.
If it looks old or questionable, you should replace it.
Make sure when you push your dryer back into position, you don't kink the line. -
Step 3: Clean your vent line regularly.
-
Step 4: Keep the area around the dryer clean.
-
Step 5: Clean the lint out of the inside of the dryer regularly.
-
Step 6: Make sure your gas line is in good shape.
Detailed Guide
Always clean your lint screen right before you push the start button for EVERY LOAD! Even if there is just a small amount of lint on the screen, clean it anyway.
This is a good habit to get into.
Make sure your vent hose is in good shape.
If you have the white plastic vent hose, replace it now! It is not safe and has been outlawed.
Use the aluminum type vent hose and make sure the length is as short as possible and not crushed or kinked. , It's very important that the vent line (from the wall behind the dryer to the outside flap) is not restricted or clogged up with lint.
This greatly increases your chance of a dryer fire.
If you are unable to clean out this line yourself, call a professional.
Many Chimney Sweep companies offer this service. , In the event that your dryer does have a lint fire, don't give it more fuel to destroy your home.
Make sure there are no articles of clothing, boxes, cleaning supplies, or anything else behind or around the dryer.
You should also keep things off the top of the dryer. , Your dryer needs to be opened up and vacuumed out periodically.
Most dryers today are not easily accessible for the homeowner.
Unless you know how to take your dryer apart and put it back together, you'll need a technician to do this.
Any time you have your dryer repaired, ask the technician to vacuum it out for you.
He should be doing this anyway as part of the service. , If you have a gas dryer you should check your gas line.
If it looks old or questionable, you should replace it.
Make sure when you push your dryer back into position, you don't kink the line.
About the Author
Julie Young
Brings years of experience writing about DIY projects and related subjects.
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