Are Clogged Lint Screens Causing Dryer Fires?
Failure to clean a dryer's lint trap and vent ducts is the leading cause of dryer fires. Lint build-up in traps and ducts causes more than 4,000 dryer fires a year, according to the website for "Consumer Reports" magazine. Proper maintenance of your dryer parts can help to prevent this kind of fire in your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Significance
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Dryer lint consists of fibers, hair and other debris from your clothing. This material is highly flammable when it's exposed to extreme temperatures or flame. A small spark in the dryer caused by a wiring problem could ignite the lint. Dryer fires also occur when lint accumulates in dryer ducts, around dryer drums and behind the dryer.
Prevention
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Remove, clean out and replace the lint trap every time you use your dryer. Never run your dryer without the lint trap, as this will cause lint to collect in vent pipes and ducts, creating a fire hazard. Cleaning your lint screen regularly also eases your dryer's workload, because it won't need as much time to do your clothes. This helps save energy and keeps your dryer from overheating, a problem that could cause lint to ignite.
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Considerations
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Additional ways to prevent a dryer fire include detaching and vacuuming the vents to remove lint that may have made it past the lint trap. Never run your dryer at night or while you are away. You need to keep an eye on your dryer while it's running. Keep cleaning supplies, clothing and other flammable materials off and away from your dryer. Remove additional lint build-up from behind the dryer and around the drum.
Symptoms
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Clothing that remains damp after running a full cycle suggests that the lint trap or exhaust vents have become blocked and require cleaning. Cleaning the lint trap before and after each use will prevent this problem. But some laundered items may produce excessive amounts of lint that can cause the trap and exhaust duct to become clogged before the load is finished drying. Call a professional when you have cleaned the lint trap and air ducts but clothing remains damp. This could indicated a problem with the motor.
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