Lint buildup in clothes dryers can pose a risk of fire in the home. Here are some safety pointers from Dryer Vent Wizard of Greater Cleveland, a company that cleans, repairs and installs dryer vents:
• Be sure dryer-vent systems are up to the codes and standards of the community, state and manufacturer.
• To avoid kinking, replace plastic or foil vents with semirigid or solid metal venting.
• Clean the lint screen between each load.
• Wash lint screens with soap and water every few months to remove fabric-softener residue.
• Dont keep combustibles such as cleaning products or chemical-laden rags near dryers.
• Dont leave the house or go to bed with the dryer running.
• In cold weather, check the outside vent cover to make sure its not blocked or frozen shut.
• Warning signs of trouble are clothes that take more than one cycle to dry, a lack of visible lint on the lint screen, repeated stopping of the dryer during a cycle and clothes that smell moldy or are very hot after drying.
• The company also recommends having dryer vents professional cleaned and inspected annually.
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