In early March, a fire started in a Seattle home clothes dryer and caused over $10,000 in damages. Each year, 2,900 clothes dryer fires are reported in residential buildings in the U.S. Most dryer fires happen during the winter months. Failure to clean the lint is the leading factor contributing to home clothes dryer fires.
A few tips to prevent dryer fires:
- Do not use the dryer without a lint filter. Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle.
- Never leave dryer running while sleeping or out of the home.
- Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
- Regularly check dryer exhaust vent hoses behind the dryer for lint build up and clean. Bends and lint buildup in hoses can block airflow.
- Never put rubber, plastic, foam or any materials that made contact with flammable liquids in the dryer even if previously washed.
- Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
- Make sure that the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.
Clothes that have come in contact with flammable substances, like gasoline, paint thinner, or similar solvents should be laid outside to dry, then can be washed and dried as usual.
More tips can be found here.