Clothes dryer safety tips

​Clothes dryers are considered one of the most dangerous appliances in your home if not properly handled. In fact, these appliances were involved in one out of every twenty-two structure fires in Australia. The leading cause of dryer fires is due to lack of maintenance and failure to clean the machine regularly, which could lead to faulty parts in the long run.

 In addition, lint that usually comes from our clothing is highly flammable, and it usually accumulates inside a dryer. This build-up can cause excessive heat, which could lead to an accidental fire.

That is why it is highly important to keep your dryer in optimal running condition to prevent fires in your home. Here re some fire safety tips to keep your home and family safe:

• Make sure your clothes dryer has a lint filter.
• Regularly clean the lint filter after every use. Try to remove the lint that has collected around the rim of the lid or door.
• Check the air exhaust vent pipe and outdoor vent flap, make sure it’s not restricted and should always be open when the dryer is running. Vent pipes must not have any animal nests or other foreign object blocking it.
• Once a year, try to hire a qualified dryer technician so they can clean the lint out of the vent pipe.
• Gas dryers must only be maintained by professionals and commission them to inspect your gas line, so it’s free from leaks and other issues.
• Never overload your dryer since this can add to the amount of lint that can accumulate inside it, which can create a fire if left unchecked.
• Always turn off the dryer when you leave your home or before going to bed, because accidental fires in your dryer usually happen when you’re not around.
• Your dryer should be adequately plugged and grounded into its correct outlet or plug. Don’t use ordinary extension cords since it’s not designed for dryers.
• Check if the area around your dryer is clear of things that can quickly burn or catch on fire like cleaning supplies, clothing, or boxes.
• Never put clothing that has come in contact with gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or other flammable chemicals in your dryer.
• Don’t dry items with rubber, foam, or plastic materials in it like rubber bathroom rugs and car mats.
• If you’re going for a vacation and you will be away from your home for an extended time, you should always unplug and disconnect all your appliances, especially the dryer and washing machine.
• Most importantly, your dryer should only be installed and serviced by a professional like QLD Washers - Brisbane's dryer repair service. Don’t install it on your own or hire a technician without checking their credentials.

Overall, accidental fires can be prevented, and you can make your home much safer if you regularly maintain your laundry appliances. That is why before you hire a dryer repair service provider, it’s essential that you first check their credentials and track record.

You need to know if they are capable of maintaining your dryer so that it will remain in tiptop condition.