24/7 Emergency Service
Fire Damage: Overheated Clothes
8/12/2021 (Permalink)
Your dryer should be checked periodically like any other appliance in your household.
There are some precautions you must take when you are using the dryer at your home. Failure to clean parts such as dryer vents and the lint screen/ filter can block the flow of air, causing clothes to overheat and potentially start a fire. You can prevent fire damage by following these simple tips:
- It is recommended to clean the lint screen/filter before and after every load. This is something some people usually miss; not cleaning the filter will cause lint to build up and block the flow of air. If drying is taking longer than usual, this may be a sign that the lint screen is blocked.
- The most common cause of these fires is the failure to clean dryer vents. Check the dryer vents and exhaust duct periodically; if there is no exhaust air escaping from the outside dryer vent, it may be a sign that it is blocked. This would be the perfect time to clean it.
- Be careful when drying clothes that have been soiled with gasoline, cooking oils, or any other volatile chemical. In this case, wash the clothes more than once and hang the clothes to dry.
If your home encounters a fire, SERVPRO of East Greenville County is here to help. We have a professional team specialized in fire cleanup and restoration; they will take care of your restoration needs. Call us today and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”
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