Prevent Dryer Fires with Valley Chimney

Did you know that dryer vent fires are just as common as stove fires? In fact, there is 200 or more dryer vent annually in Illinois alone. The good news is, these fires are completely avoidable, and there are steps a homeowner can take to prevent them.

To prevent dryer vent fires, it’s important to regularly check the lint trap and keep it clean and free of loose lint. Fire professionals recommend cleaning and checking the dryer vents once a year, and cleaning the lint trap after every load of laundry. Lint is very extremely flammable.

The process to clean a dryer vent is very quick and easy to do, however, it is recommended to call a technician to clean your vent. A technician will complete the process in a few steps, including removing the vent from the dryer, sucking out all the excel with a high-power vacuum and re-attaching the vent to the dryer. Finally, a technician will also check and clean the outside vent and any attachments to the home.

Signs You Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning

There are some warning signs to be aware of when it comes to your clothes dryer. One of the biggest warning signals that you have lint buildup is that your dryer is taking longer than usual to dry your clothes, or if your clothes come out of the dryer hotter than usual. You can follow these easy dryer maintenance tips, to prevent any fires from happening.

• Clean the lint filter before and after every load of laundry.
• Regularly clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
• Inspect and clean out the vent pipe every three months.
• Have your dryer vent cleaned annually by a professional.

What To Do If Your Dryer Catches Fire

If you see smoking coming from your dryer and suspect there’s a dryer fire occurring, follow these steps to extinguishing it as quickly as possible.

• Do not open the door
• If possible, try to turn the dryer off,
• Leave the area
• If your dryer is in the laundry room, shut the door to the room and call 911.

Again, remember the worst thing to do in the event of a dryer fire is to open the dryer door. That will only give the fire oxygen and cause it to become larger.

Prevent Dryer Fires with Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration

You can prevent a dryer fire from happening in your home with the help of Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration. Schedule your dryer vent cleaning with Valley Chimney, and have our team prevent your home from any dryer fires.