Don't be a Victim to KILLER HOUSE FIRES!
Chances are you don’t look at it or even think about it. But over time, it fills with lint that sneaks by your dryer’s filter. Overheating comes next as the lint builds up. Now you’re just a step away from a duct fire. Sound far-fetched? Here are some sobering facts:
- Dryer exhaust fires now surpass creosote (chimney) fires in frequency on a national level. In 1998, the most recent statistics available, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that over 15,600 dryer fires occured killing 20 people, injuring 370 more and causing over $75.4 million in property damage.
- WhatCauses Dryer Fires? Dryer fires usually start beneath the dryer when the motor overheats. Overheating is caused by a build-up of lint in the duct that increases the drying times and blocks the flow of air, just like cholesteral in your arteries can build up and block the flow of blood to your heart. Naturally, any lint that has collected under the dryer will burn and the draft from the dryer will pull that fire up and into the duct. Since the duct is blocked with lint, many times a house fire results. Other contributing factors may include failure of the thermostat, and the high limit temperature safety switch, broken lint screen, crushed hose, and animal or birds nests.
Fortunately, removing this danger from your home is neither complicated, nor expensive. And there are some nice extra benefits as well. Removing this lint, for example, results in a dryer that runs cheaper, since it uses less energy to get your clothes dry. Drying times can even be shorter, getting you out of the laundry room faster. Finally, the dryer itself can last longer since it’s not stressed by the higher operating temperatures caused by lint buildup.
***Never use plastic or foil venting on the back of your dryer because its a fire hazard and againts code.
***Never go to bed or leave your house while the dryer is running!
Additional Questions or need further information?
101 S. Wisconsin Ave.
Addison IL 60101
Phone: (630) 640-8627
