Dryer Fires: How To Prevent Them From Occurring

Laundry is an essential part of our daily routine. Knowing how dryer fires can be a benefit to all. We use dryers and washing machines for clothes quite often, sometimes even weekly depending on how large our families are. What if your dryer caught fire? This could result in thousands of dollars worth of repairs and replacements, as well as damage to your home and property if it sets itself ablaze. You should take precautions and ensure that you have dry fire safety measures in place.

What time and how do dryer fires start?

According to some reports, about a third of clothes drying fires are caused by lint buildup. You can save your house and life by preventing potential fires. There are many ways you can prevent or even eliminate dryer fires. You can learn more about how to prevent, or even eliminate this fire hazard.

Is a Squeaky Dryer dangerous?

Squeaky dryers are usually a sign that something is wrong with the dryer and it needs to be fixed. It could also be dangerous. It is important to determine the source of the squeak and to take preventative measures to avoid any future accidents.

What is Dryer Lint?

Dryer lint is made up of fabric and hair particles that accumulate in your dryer’s exhaust opening. It’s found in the dryer exhaust vent, and should be cleaned out regularly. If it is too close to your dryer’s heating element, this can lead to an extremely dangerous fire.

Can Dryer Lint Make a Fire?

If the dryer vent is not cleaned regularly, a dryer lint fire could start. It is important to inspect your dryer exhaust vent every time you do laundry. Clean out the lint from the exhaust vent each time you do laundry.

Can an Electric Dryer catch Fire?

Even electric dryers can catch fire. Overheating is the main reason for electric dryer fires. Overheating can cause a fire if your dryer is left open for too long or you dry clothes in the dryer. Because electric dryers heat quickly, they catch fire easily. A fan can also blow hot air into the room.

Are Gas Dryers at Greater Risk for a Fire?

While electric dryers have a higher chance of causing a fire than gas dryers, they are also unique because they have gas lines. Gas dryers are different from electric dryers, if you’ve ever used one. Gas dryers don’t heat your clothes, they heat the entire house. Gas dryers are more common in older homes where pipes are weak and old. Gas dryers are often found in older homes, where the pipes are old and brittle.

Is it possible to find dryer vents in my area?

Look at the back side of your dryer to find where dryer vents are located. The vent hole for dryers is located in the upper left corner of both sides. The dryer vent usually exits from an outside wall and enters from the inside.

How To Prevent Dryer Vent Fires

If you think your dryer vent is clogged, shut down power and call emergency services. Your dryer vent should be cleaned. When cleaning dryer vents, the National Fire Protection Association recommends that you use a nonflammable cleaner like water. You should not use gasoline, kerosene or paint thinner, lighter fluids, matches, torch candles, or any other flammables near your dryer. These tips can help prevent common dryer fires and can help keep your home safe.

You shouldn’t use your dryer without a lint filter

You should not use your dryer without the filter. This could also lead to a fire. This is essential for your dryer to function properly. You will have a dryer that is less likely to cause fires and your clothes will dry faster and more safely. It can also be a dryer lint fire starter if it isn’t cleaned properly.

Regularly clean the dryer’s filter.

Before you turn on your dryer, make sure to clean out the lint trap. If your dryer makes unusual sounds or isn’t working as it should, you need to check the lint trap. If your dryer is still having problems, contact a professional maintenance technician to determine if there is excess lint in the dryer vent pipe.

Do not leave your home without the dryer on

You should reconsider leaving your dryer on if you plan to leave your house with it on. Turn your dryer off when you aren’t there. This can cause your home to catch fire and cost you thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Regularly inspect the dryer’s vents.

To prevent dryer fires, make it a habit to inspect the dryer vents and metal ducts at least once a month. If you discover any blockages in your dryer vents or ducts, contact an expert to have them cleaned. You could catch fire if you do not.

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a blocked dryer vent. These are:

• Clothes take longer to dry.
• For dust and lint, check the vents outside and inside the dryer.
• Your clothes are getting dryer than ever, and it’s making them hotter.
• Burning smell – If dryer vents are clogged with lint, it is possible for a fire to start very soon.

Keep Fire Hazards Away

All combustible items should be kept out of your dryer. They should be stored in a safe place so that they don’t accidentally get thrown into the dryer.

Don’t Overload your dryer

Don’t overload your dryer. Too much heat can cause excessive fire risk. Overloading your dryer can cause excessive lint buildup and prevent it from ventilating properly. A drying machine that is heating can’t vent properly if it is at or above its capacity. It may also be more likely to catch fire. If you are unsure about how much dryer your dryer can handle, consult an expert or refer the manual to your clothes dryer manual.

How To Light A Dryer Fire

A fire may have started if you see smoke from your dryer. Do not open the door if you suspect there is a fire. You could be exposed to carbon monoxide, and your hands may also be burned by opening the door. Call 911 immediately to evacuate the house. If you’re confident that you can put out the fire, you can follow these steps to setting off a clothes dryer fire.

1. Stop the Fire

Before moving anything, make sure that the dryer is out of flames. To stop dryer fires, you will need two things in your laundry area:

• A Fire Extinguisher
• A Fire Blanket

You should not ignore any flames coming from the back or venting out the rear of the unit. Use a fire extinguisher to spray side-by-side.

2. Unplug the Dryer

Once you have extinguished the fire, unplug the dryer. However, don’t forget to take out any clothing or other items. To determine the cause of the dryer’s fire, a professional must inspect it. If you believe that your dryer’s wall outlet has been damaged, do not worry and wait for professionals. Turn off utilities in that area if they are available.

3. Get out of your home

When you are done with the laundry room, close the door behind your back. If the fire starts to enflame, this helps keep it contained.

What to do after a dryer fire?

You may be eligible for insurance coverage for certain repairs. Check with your homeowner’s insurer to confirm. These helpful tips will help you with your laundry this week. It’s cheaper to do dryer maintenance than to set up a dryer fire. Contact 911 Restoration today to learn more about the recommended steps after a fire.