It’s a chore that many homeowners miss or don’t know about. Clothes dryer fires start more than 15,000 home fires every year, usually from lint build-up. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing airflow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, and creating a fire hazard. These fires can easily be prevented with routine maintenance.
Fire prevention and safety is a cause near and dear to our hearts. FRSTeam by Westbank Dry Cleaning carefully restores items that have been affected by fire or smoke. We care for our customers deeply and understand the emotional and financial stress that can accompany this challenging time. In honor of Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, we’ve gathered 11 safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association
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- Always have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
- Never use your dryer without a lint filter and always clean the filter before each load of laundry.
- Check your outdoor vent flap to make sure it opens when the dryer is operating and clean out any debris around the exterior of the flap.
- Clean the vent hose at least once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry. Consider hiring a professional once a year for a thorough vent cleaning.
- Steer clear of drying items containing foam, rubber or plastic such as a bathroom rug with a rubber backing.
- If you have a gas dryer, have a professional inspect it to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
- Don’t dry items that have come into contact with anything flammable like alcohol, cooking oils or gasoline. Dry them outdoors or in a well-ventilated room, away from heat.
- Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
- Never overload your dryer. Overstuffing will not only prevent your clothes from drying properly, it may damage the machine in the long run.
- Turn your dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
- Last but not least, make sure you have working smoke alarms at strategic areas in your home, and check the batteries regularly.
Share your fire safety tips and join the conversation by using the official Fire Prevention Week hashtag, #FPW2014 and following @WestbankATX on Twitter!
FRSTeam by Westbank Dry Cleaning is a specialized fabric restoration company that provides the most effective restoration cleaning available for your clothing and household textiles. We restore clothing, plush toys, shoes, belts, purses, window treatments, bedding, pillows, leather, suede and more. To learn more about FRSTeam by Westbank Dry Cleaning visit westbankdrycleaning.com/services/frsteam-restoration/