How to Prevent Dryer Fires

Are you aware of all the fire hazards in your home? Sure, you know about the obvious ones: the stove, the unattended candles, and maybe even the furnace; but have you thought about the laundry room?

Surprise! Your clothes dryer is one of the biggest fire hazards in the home. Clothes dryers cause more than 15,000 house fires every year, which is more than chimneys. If you want to protect your family and home from tragedy, follow these tips:

• Clean your lint screen. By far, the leading cause of dryer fires is failure to clean. Getting in the habit of clearing the lint screen before each load could potentially save your life.

• Vent your dryer to the outside. The tube that runs out of the back of your dryer should vent directly to the outside, not to the attic or under a porch.

• Don't run your dryer unsupervised. Never run your dryer when the house is empty, and even worse, never run the dryer overnight while everyone is asleep.

• Have your dryer vent cleaned annually. If you don't clean your exhaust vent every year, chances are it is filled with flammable lint. Cleaning this tube annually also promotes air flow, which can decrease overheating and improve energy-efficiency.

Cleaning your dryer vent requires special tools and knowledge, so it is best to leave it to a licensed professional. If you are looking for a dryer vent cleaning service in Nassau County or Suffolk County, Long Island, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration! Call us to schedule a same-day appointment at (631) 940-8100.