The Roof is On Fire: Dryer Vents Leading Cause of Home Fires
Waco, Texas (PRWEB) March 26, 2014 -- Each year over 15,000 home fires, resulting in nearly $201 million in damages, are caused by dirty dryer vents. According to recent studies, nearly 92 percent of all laundry room fires can be traced back to a failure in cleaning either the dryer appliance or its ventilation system.
“Dryer vent fires are usually caused by an electrical short sparking and igniting lint buildup inside of your dryer,” stated Mr. Appliance President, Doug Rogers. “This fire then spreads into the vent tubing going through the home’s walls or under the home. By removing this lint build-up, it eliminates the flammable material that would ignite in the event of a short circuit.”
Mr. Appliance offers these four tips for keeping dryer vents clean and clear of fire hazards:
1. Everyone already knows to clean out the lint trap between each load. However, it is also imperative to clean the lint trap itself, using soapy water and a cloth, as well as wiping along the edges of the trap.
2. Remove the lint trap and clean the inside of the machine for the lint that got through the lint filter. Use a damp cloth to wipe around inside of the dryer and grab all of the escapee lint pieces.
3. Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall. Remove the vent tubing attaching the dryer to the wall and clean each end of the dryer vent tubing. Be sure to pay attention to the ends, as this is where most of the lint will build up.
4. Clean the dryer vent leading outside of the home annually. This service requires specialized equipment and professional services and removes the threat of lint build-up inside the walls of the home. Call your local Mr. Appliance to schedule an annual appointment.
As a final thought, Rogers commented that “the more people who know about the dangers of dirty dryer vents, the more impact we can have on stopping this rampant problem and save homes, and lives, from these fires.”
About Mr. Appliance®:
Mr. Appliance is North America’s leading appliance repair franchise system. Established in 1996, its franchises provide full-service residential and light commercial appliance repair. Mr. Appliance has more than 150 locations throughout the United States and Canada and is consistently ranked among the top home service franchises by Entrepreneur magazine and other industry experts. Mr. Appliance is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information, visit MrAppliance.com.
Desirae Franco, Mr. Appliance, http://www.mrappliance.com, +1 2547595894, [email protected]
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