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When you think about causes of house fires, unattended candles, kitchen disasters and wiring problems probably come to mind. However, an overlooked risk is also lurking in your laundry room. With over 15,000 hour fires caused by dryers every year, you should take the following steps to prevent damage to your home caused by laundry room-related fires.
- Never run the dryer without the filter in place.
- Remove lint from the dryer filter before every use. Clean it thoroughly with a nylon brush two to three times per year.
- Check the drum for lint periodically.
- Don’t overload the dryer with too many clothes.
- Check where your dryer is installed. The further away it is from an exterior wall, the longer the vent is. This raises the risk of fire.
- Pay attention to how long it takes for your clothes to dry. If it’s taking longer than usual, that’s a sign your dryer vent is clogged with lint. Have a professional clean it out to prevent damage to your home.
- Hire a contractor to clean out the dryer vents annually, whether it takes longer for clothes to dry or not.
For more tips on preventing damage to your home, contact us today.