Dryer Safety with SERVPRO of New Philadelphia
8/13/2020 (Permalink)
Clothes dryers are involved in thousands of house fires each year and the majority of them happen in the fall and winter. Most of these fires could be prevented with proper cleaning and maintenance. Luckily, SERVPRO of New Philadelphia is here to offer some cleaning and maintenance tips to help you stay safe!
- Installation
To ensure your dryer is properly connected, we recommend hiring a professional to connect your dryer. Your dryer needs to be plugged into the correct electrical outlet and plug and like all electrical appliances, dryers come with warnings and instructions. Even if a professional is installing your dryer, you should still read over the instructions and warnings for use.
- Cleaning
The lint trap should be cleaned in between EACH load of laundry. The back of the dryer should also be cleared of lint and every few months the vent pipe should be emptied. All these precautions will help decrease the risk of a lint fire.
- Proper Use
Dryer use seems self-explanatory, throw wet clothes in, turn on, and hope they dry. However, it’s important not to overload a dryer with multiple loads of laundry at one time. Don’t try to dry items with rubber, foam, or plastic, such as bathroom mats. Never try to dry items with oil, gas, alcohol, or any other flammable liquids on them. Lastly, do not run your dryer while you are out of the house or going to bed.
- Maintenance
Routinely inspect the ventilation system to make sure there is no damage or lint build-up. Check outside venting for blockages such as birds’ nests and keep the area around the dryer clean and clear of anything flammable.
A dryer fire is almost completely preventable if you take the proper precautions. If your home has been damaged by a fire, SERVPRO of New Philadelphia is happy to help! We are fire restoration experts and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
If you need our help, give us a call! (330) 556 4656
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