A dryer after a fire

Safety First!

Venting

In 2010, laundry-appliance related home fires accounted for 16,800 reported confined or non-confined fires. This resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 injuries, and $236 million in direct property damage.NFPA.org Lint is the saftey enemy of all vented dryers. According to the NFPA, 92% of home fires involving washers or dryers were caused, in part, by dryers. Of that figure, 32% were caused by failure to clean. This can be easily prevented by following simple dryer vent mainenance guidelines. Periodically, the dryer vent should be inspected and any lint build-up removed.

Wiring

Electric dryers create heat. This is a high-wattage appliance and the electrical connections should only be installed by a qualified electrician. Proper circuit sizing and grounding practices should be followed. Any loose connection or chafing on the wiring should be corrected before the appliance is returned to service.

Gas Leaks

Evidence of a gas leak is cause for immediate concern. If there is noticable gas smell present, the gas supply should be turned off and the fire department notified. No electrical devices should be turned on or off until the area is deemed safe again.