If you live in a cold climate, you know winter can be long and burdensome. From neverending cabin fever to extra layers and bundling up, winter always seems to go on forever as you search for the first signs of spring.
But those extra layers add more than just warmth. According to FEMA, dryer fires happen most frequently in January due to the consistent drying of bulky items like warm, heavy clothing and blankets.
If you’ve ever worn an itchy wool sweater, you know how easily the fabric pills and sheds. If it does that while you wear it, just imagine what happens in your dryer. These heavier fabrics create an excessive amount of lint that can (and will!) clog your dryer vent. That enormous comfy blanket you cozy up with on the couch, your favorite scarf… yep, we’re sorry to tell you they’re also culprits in clogging dryer vents during the winter months.
Unfortunately, cleaning your lint trap won’t be enough to keep your home safe from the increased chance of a dryer fire, especially during these colder months. The lint finds its way into your dryer vent, out of sight, and out of reach, creating an unknown fire hazard in your home.
So, how can you proactively prevent a dryer fire?
Schedule your professional dryer vent cleaning at least once per year. We can’t emphasize this point enough: your lint trap does not catch all of your laundry lint. Rogue lint, socks, and other foreign objects will find their way into your dryer vent. These flammable items need only a single spark from your dryer’s heating element to ignite a fire.
However, the solution is clear.
