Laundry Room Safety

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

When you’re thinking about household fire hazards, you probably think about your kitchen, fire place, or electrical system. But do you ever think about your laundry room? According to U.S. Fire Administration, home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss.

The most common reason for these fires by far is dirty or congested dryer vents and ducts. To reduce the risk of these fires happening, hire a professional cleaning and restoration company like SERVPRO® to clean your ducts when you notice your clothes are taking longer than normal to dry.

Other safety tips for your dryer from the National Fire Protection Agency include 

• Cleaning the lint filter before and after each load. Purchase a vent brush (it’s like a giant bottle brush) to use between professional cleanings.
• Making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not blocked by a bird’s nest or other potential obstacles
• Keep your laundry room tidy. Don’t leave laundry or old lint near the machine where they could be ignited by an overheating machine.
• Never run the dryer while you’re sleeping or away from home. 

For more information on cleaning dryer vents contact SERVPRO of Longview at 903-283-8100. We are always here to help!