Clothes Dryer Safety

It’s vitally important to clean the lint out of your dryer vents from the every time you dry a load of clothes.  Wipe away the excess lint hanging around the vent area to prevent a fire. Make sure your dryer vent is clean and clear so it won’t be vulnerable to a potential fire.  A clogged vent can cause the dryer to overheat, which is what could lead to a fire. This simple act of prevention can be a lifesaver.

If it takes a longer time than seems normal for your clothes to dry, be sure to check your dryer vent. There might be excess lint blocking the vent that doesn’t allow the dryer to work as efficiently as it should. Don’t overload the dryer. Overloading makes it work too hard to heat up enough to dry your clothes causing yet another risk to the dryer.  Always make sure the vent it opened properly for the safe ventilation.

Schedule vent maintenance to clean the dryer vent and hose by a professional at least once a year, especially if you are noticing performance problems with the dryer. This will also extend the life of your dryer and help use less electricity, keeping your utility bill lower. Annual cleaning often comes with the warranty of the dryer and if you don’t get the vent cleaned as the warranty states you could lose your warranty.

Installing a heat detector in you laundry room can help you to be warned if the dryer is getting too hot or if there is another potential problem that could cause a fire.

It’s important to be home and close enough to the dryer to respond if there is a problem. That is why it is recommended that you don’t leave the dryer running when you aren’t home. Even if you have a heat detector you have to be home to respond and attend to any potential problem.

For more information about installing heat detectors in your laundry room or adding an alarm monitoring service contact or call Cook Electric today 410-266-9040.