Appliance Types


Appliance Brands


Article Categories


More Articles


Preventing a Dryer Fire

[BACK]
Preventing a Dryer Fire
Posted On: July 14, 2022

Laundry is part of life’s weekly grind. But did you know that dryers cause roughly 15,500 home structure fires, 29 deaths, 400 injuries, and $192 million in direct property loss each year? What’s more, most dryer fires happen in the winter. The most common cause of dryer fires is failure to do a thorough cleaning. Because a lint trap is not a foolproof method for catching all the fuzzy stuff from clothes, lint can gradually build up and catch fire in the heating element or exhaust duct.


Further compounding the problem is the fact that many people now install dryers outside of their basements. This typically results in dryer vent pipes being much longer. Those longer vent pipes have a greater likelihood of being twisted and turned to accommodate the structure of the home—and that creates spaces for lint to collect.


1. Clean out the lint. “It starts with cleaning out the lint filter every time you use the dryer,” says John Hall, Ph.D., division director of Fire Analysis & Research for the National Fire Protection Association. He also advises clearing out the vent pipe to reduce the chance of fire and to maintain the efficiency of the dryer.


2. Install with care. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the vent pipe. Use a short, straight pipe that’s an adequate distance from the wall. Reducing the bends in the dryer vent pipe creates fewer opportunities for lint to gather. If you have to vent your dryer over a long distance, consider investing in a dryer vent fan. These automatic electric devices speed up airflow through the duct every time you turn on your dryer to keep things moving along. A dryer vent fan should be installed by a licensed electrician.


3. Clear out combustibles. Move any flammables like cleaning supplies far away from your dryer. Also regularly sweep out dust in the areas around and underneath your dryer.


4. Opt for a solid metal dryer duct. Research shows that flexible foil or plastic ducts can sag and lead to lint buildup at low points. Metal ducts of any variety don’t sag, and they’re more likely to contain any fires that would start.


5. Read tags. If the care label reads tumble dry low, don’t turn the dryer up to high. Also use caution with certain items like bath mats, padded bras, and bibs—they may contain rubber that shouldn’t be exposed to hot temperatures.


6. Exercise extra caution with flammable liquids. Wash clothing stained with volatile chemicals more than once—and definitely opt to line dry over machine dry.


7. Use your clothes to diagnose problems. Clothes that no longer feel dry or that are extra hot to the touch after a normal dry cycle are a telltale sign that something’s wrong. Before doing the next load, check for a plugged vent and clean out any lint.


8. Don’t dry and dash. Turn off your dryer if you need to step out during the laundry cycle.


9. Give the outdoor vent a peek. Make sure that the outdoor vent flap isn’t covered by snow or debris.


SOURCE: erieinsurance.com



[BACK]
Preventing a Dryer Fire
Posted On: July 14, 2022

Laundry is part of life’s weekly grind. But did you know that dryers cause roughly 15,500 home structure fires, 29 deaths, 400 injuries, and $192 million in direct property loss each year? What’s more, most dryer fires happen in the winter. The most common cause of dryer fires is failure to do a thorough cleaning. Because a lint trap is not a foolproof method for catching all the fuzzy stuff from clothes, lint can gradually build up and catch fire in the heating element or exhaust duct.


Further compounding the problem is the fact that many people now install dryers outside of their basements. This typically results in dryer vent pipes being much longer. Those longer vent pipes have a greater likelihood of being twisted and turned to accommodate the structure of the home—and that creates spaces for lint to collect.


1. Clean out the lint. “It starts with cleaning out the lint filter every time you use the dryer,” says John Hall, Ph.D., division director of Fire Analysis & Research for the National Fire Protection Association. He also advises clearing out the vent pipe to reduce the chance of fire and to maintain the efficiency of the dryer.


2. Install with care. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the vent pipe. Use a short, straight pipe that’s an adequate distance from the wall. Reducing the bends in the dryer vent pipe creates fewer opportunities for lint to gather. If you have to vent your dryer over a long distance, consider investing in a dryer vent fan. These automatic electric devices speed up airflow through the duct every time you turn on your dryer to keep things moving along. A dryer vent fan should be installed by a licensed electrician.


3. Clear out combustibles. Move any flammables like cleaning supplies far away from your dryer. Also regularly sweep out dust in the areas around and underneath your dryer.


4. Opt for a solid metal dryer duct. Research shows that flexible foil or plastic ducts can sag and lead to lint buildup at low points. Metal ducts of any variety don’t sag, and they’re more likely to contain any fires that would start.


5. Read tags. If the care label reads tumble dry low, don’t turn the dryer up to high. Also use caution with certain items like bath mats, padded bras, and bibs—they may contain rubber that shouldn’t be exposed to hot temperatures.


6. Exercise extra caution with flammable liquids. Wash clothing stained with volatile chemicals more than once—and definitely opt to line dry over machine dry.


7. Use your clothes to diagnose problems. Clothes that no longer feel dry or that are extra hot to the touch after a normal dry cycle are a telltale sign that something’s wrong. Before doing the next load, check for a plugged vent and clean out any lint.


8. Don’t dry and dash. Turn off your dryer if you need to step out during the laundry cycle.


9. Give the outdoor vent a peek. Make sure that the outdoor vent flap isn’t covered by snow or debris.


SOURCE: erieinsurance.com



[BACK]

2023 Best Luxury Appliance Brands 2023 Best Luxury Appliance Brands

Posted On: October 31, 2022
In this article, you will learn about the best luxury appliance brands, their strengths, and some possible drawbacks. You will also learn about the best appliances, what makes a kitchen luxurious, ...[More]


Spilled coffee down the control panel of my Bosch dishwasher Spilled coffee down the control panel of my Bosch dishwasher

Posted On: April 14, 2023
Just had this beautiful Bosch stainless steel 500 series installed last week. It's one of the ones with the control panel at the top so it's hidden unless you open the door. Today I was unb...[More]


Why is my washing machine shaking excessively during the spin cycle? Why is my washing machine shaking excessively during the spin cycle?

Posted On: August 5, 2023
Excessive shaking or vibrating of a washing machine during the spin cycle can be caused by several factors. Here are some common reasons and potential solutions: Imbalanced Load: Unevenly distribut...[More]


5 Reasons Why a Microwave Wont Heat 5 Reasons Why a Microwave Wont Heat

Posted On: July 19, 2022
Diode. The diode converts the A/C power output of the transformer to D/C, doubling the voltage to nearly 5,000 volts. This high voltage powers the magnetron to heat the food. If the diode burns out, ...[More]


Should I buy a gas or dual 30 inch range Should I buy a gas or dual 30 inch range

Posted On: February 7, 2022
When shopping for a gas oven for the first time, you have probably come across both gas and duel ranges. Which one you decide on depends on what you are looking for and how much you will use the oven....[More]


The Risks of a Poorly Maintained Gas Furnace The Risks of a Poorly Maintained Gas Furnace

Posted On: July 16, 2022
This is surprising to a lot of homeowners, but it’s true – the fact is, there are a lot of dangerous furnace facts! Most home fires occur during the winter months and many dangers can be a...[More]


The New ERA of Cooling The New ERA of Cooling

Posted On: December 20, 2022
Refrigerators of new generation pair very well with a contemporary kitchen, boasting cutting-edge technologies in food preservation and hi-tech functions. Afeter having become efficient from the energ...[More]


the oven sparked and smoked under the clock as it was preheating? the oven sparked and smoked under the clock as it was preheating?

Posted On: August 1, 2023
i turned on the oven to roast some cashews and smelled something burning. hadn't gone above 100 degrees. opened the oven to check, and just under the ledge sparked and so i turned off the ov...[More]


Tiiun the newest LG smart gardening system Tiiun the newest LG smart gardening system

Posted On: December 22, 2021
LG Electronics will display some innovative products at CES 2022. One of the most interesting is Tiiun, which means “to sprout” in Korean. It is a LG’s newest appliance that enables ...[More]


What is this in the Dishwasher? What is this in the Dishwasher?

Posted On: April 11, 2023
Just moved into a new place and the dishwasher is foul. Already tried vinegar twice. Anyone know what this is and how to clean it? Question from user randomplantv at Appliances at reddit.com. An...[More]


Visa MasterCard

Site Secured By The Website Guardian
TOP