Fire Safety Tips on doing Laundry

Cleaning your clothes might be a routine thing, but fires commonly spark when doing the laundry, says Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch.  “From 2010-2014, U.S. Municipal Fire Departments responded to an estimated 15,970 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year.  These fires resulted in annual losses estimated at 13 civilian deaths, 440 injuries, and $238 million worth of direct property damages.  Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires.  The leading factor contributing to the ignition of home fires involving clothes dryers was a failure to clean, accounting for 33% of those dryer fires.  Fires involving clothes dryers usually started with the ignition of something that was being dried or was a by-product, such as lint, of drying.  While washing machine fires usually involve the ignition of some part of the appliance.”  Chief Upchurch off these fire safety tips when you are washing and drying your clothes.  “Always have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.  Don’t use your dryer without a lint filter.  Clean out the lint filter before each use and remove the lint that has collected around the drum.  Clean lint out of the vent pipe quarterly or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than usual for your clothes to dry or have a service do it for you.  Rigid or flexible metal vent materials should be used to sustain proper airflow in drying time to reduce the risk of fire spread.  Make sure your vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating it.  Keep your dryers in good working order.  Get your gas dryers inspected by a professional.  Make sure the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.  Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and the machine is connected properly.  Don’t overload your dryer.  Turn it off when you leave home or when you go to bed.  Keep the area around your dryer clear of things that can burn.  If you get clothes that have come into contact with a flammable substance, like gasoline, paint thinner, or other solvents, they should be laid outside to dry and never put inside the dryer.”  Be careful with the detergent too, adds Chief Upchurch.  “Keep your laundry packets and all the poisons out of children’s reach and sight.”  Please follow this fire safety advice when doing your laundry, so the only result is clean clothes.