I've been neglecting laundry lately and as a result have piles of it taking over the upstairs landing. Today, I plan to beat the battle and run load after load until it's done. My dryer's usage is by no means exhaustive, but my poor planning does mean that it's overused in short spurts. I started wondering how this impacts the life of our dryer and furthermore, what added fire risk it might be subject too after such a long day. What causes dryer fires and how can they be prevented?
This article about
clothes dryer fire prevention answers these questions, providing important information about how fires start and your steps to prevention. According to the U.S. Product Safety Commission, clothes dryers cause an estimated 15,500 fires each year, resulting in 10 deaths and 10 injuries. Many of these can be prevented.
The article will elaborate on proper installation, dryer placement, vent cleaning, and hazard recognition. Lint is your biggest contributor to dryer fires. It isn't all caught in the lint trap, and can accumulate on the heating element if it's not maintained regularly. First and foremost, clean the lint trap after each load. You will also want to periodically clean the surrounding areas with a vacuum, collecting any build-up. Finally, have thorough maintenance done every couple of years in order to keep your dryer running safely and efficiently.
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