Prevent Home Fires: Dryer Vents

1/28/2019 (Permalink)

Clogged Vent

For most of us, convenience is everything. This is especially true in our homes. Imagine where we would be without the air conditioner, dishwasher, or microwave. You may remember the days of collecting all your quarters and going down to the Laundromat to do laundry. However, there was a benefit to that.

The benefit: not having to clean your dryer vents. Hardly any of us think about cleaning our vents or even know we should be. The fact of it is Lint accumulates in our dryer vents overtime. We can see a sample of this when we reload our dryer and clean out the small vent trap. Now imagine that on a larger scale. Say you've lived in the same home for 10-15 years+ and never had the vents cleaned...They'd be clogged!  

The truth of the matter is we sometimes take convenience for granted. That mistake could cost us our home, or even our life. Around 2,900 Dryer Fires are reported each year. How can we bring this statistic down? Clean our dryer vents.

How do you know if you need your vents cleaned?

• Your laundry may take longer to dry. 
• The dryer may be hotter to the touch than usual. 
• A burning smell may be present when the dryer is running. 

Where do you start? Professionals. Although DIY kits are sold, nothing beats the expertise and assured safety of a professional. Find out more dryer vent information here: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/clothes_dryers.html