There are many things that lurk inside laundry rooms that can be harmful to children and the rest of the family. These dangerous things include cracked washer hoses, laundry detergents and unlocked washers and dryers. While these items are all dangerous, the worst thing of all is a dryer fire.

Here are 7 safety tips that you can use to keep your laundry room safe from fire:

  1. Lint builds up quickly on the lint screen and you will want to clean it after every load of laundry so that it does not catch on fire. It is also a good idea to vacuum out the filter chamber on occasion in order to remove any lint that may be stuck inside.
  2. Those thin foil dryer ducts can collect lint very easily, so you should use a metal dryer duct instead. The metal duct will not be as flexible, so there are fewer places for the lint to build up and collect.
  3. The dryer duct should be cleaned at least once a year and more often if you do a lot of laundry. You will want to move the dryer from the wall and vacuum out both ends of the dryer duct.
  4. If you allow lint to build up inside the dryer duct, it will take longer to dry your clothes and your dryer may also overheat, which can also start a fire.
  5. Do not stack items around your dryer, so that if there is a fire, it will not spread as quickly.
  6. If you have a gas dryer, you will want to have the gas lines checked occasionally. Old or deteriorating lines can leak gas into your house, which causes carbon monoxide and possibly an explosion.
  7. You should never run the dryer when you are not home or when you are sleeping. It is easier to know that something is wrong with your dryer when you are home and awake.

Preventative maintenance is key for many items inside and outside your home. If you spend a little time maintaining your appliances and the rest of your home, you will find that you will not have to spend as much money repairing or replacing things in the future. Plus, when it comes to the dryer, you will also be keeping yourself and your family safe from possible fires. Give us a call here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service at 610-626-2439 if you would like to schedule an appointment with our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps so that we can inspect and clean your dryer hose and vent.