Doing laundry is most likely part of your every day routine. Did you know how important taking care of your clothes dryer is to the safety of your home?

Dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2006-2010

 With a few simple safety tips you can help prevent a clothes dryer fire. 

The National Fire Protection Association has safety tips on washers and dryers.

•Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.

•Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.

•Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.

•Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you. (This is usually an Owner responsibility)

•Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.

•Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.