The Lint Trap Isn’t the Only Fire Trap

AQUAARTS STUDIO | ISTOCK.COM

If you scrape the lint out of your clothes dryer’s lint trap after every load, you’re doing a lot to prevent the appliance from catching on fire. But you could do more.

Here are safety tips for keeping your dryer safe and energy efficient.

Are your clothes getting dry? Time the cycle. Is it taking a long time for your laundry to dry? Are large items still damp when the machine turns itself off? This is a sign that your lint screen or exhaust duct is probably blocked.

When is the last time you snaked your dryer vent? You should do it yearly. It’s a pretty easy job, but if you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, any handyman or electrician can do it for you. The duct is the coil that sends the hot air from the dryer to the outdoors. The vent is the opening where the hot air leaves the house. Both can get clogged with lint. Once that happens the dryer can overheat; send dirty, moist air back into your home; or even catch on fire. You might have to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer and from the vent to remove a blockage.

What’s lurking behind your dryer? Pull it out and take a look. Lint can accumulate there and also underneath the dryer. Clean the floor behind the appliance and wipe down the back of the dryer. Call a service tech for this job if you can’t manage it on your own.

What’s inside? If you throw gasoline-, oil- or chemical-soiled clothes and towels into the dryer, even after thoroughly washing them, they can ignite. Dry them outside on a clothesline instead—after washing them several times. If your dryer is the only option, use the lowest setting and remove the items the minute the cycle is finished.