A significant number of
the fires that give rise to Florida home insurance
claims are traced to clothes dryers in the laundry rooms of houses. Because of
this, safety authorities are keen to increase public awareness of the fire risk
posed by clothes drying appliances. What causes fires to
start in clothes dryers?
Lint builds up in the
lint trap inside the dryer.
Lint accumulates in the
exhaust duct of the dryer.
The dryer is used to dry
clothing and cloths that have been soaked in volatile chemicals like cooking
oil, gasoline and cleaning agents.
To clear lint that
builds up in the lint trap and exhaust duct, use a brush available from
hardware stores. Brushing not only removes lint and other debris, it improves
air flow and helps the dryer operate more efficiently, using less energy. In
order to avoid chemicals catching fire in a dryer, safety experts recommend air
drying cloths and garments that have been spoiled by volatile materials.
A fire that is confined
to the dryer and the clothes it contains can be expensive, but a fire that
spreads from the dryer can be catastrophic. Filing a Florida home insurance claim may drive up the cost of insurance
premiums. Remember that clothes dryers have the potential to cause fires,
always use them cautiously and never leave a clothes dryer running unattended
while you are out. With Westgate-Jones Insurance Agency we have the answers to
all your questions!