The National Fire Data Center, which is part of the U.S. Fire Administration, reports that clothes dryers cause approximately 15,600 structure fires all over the country every year. Clogged dryer vents are responsible for starting eighty percent or so of the fires, resulting in an average of 400 injuries and 15 deaths every year. Thousands more house occupants get treated for poisonous gas fume symptoms that accumulate in houses due to dryer vents being blocked.

Yes, it is a good idea to clean your dryer’s lint trap. However, by itself it won’t completely prevent fires from breaking out inside your dryer vent. In order for your dryer to stay safe and efficient, replace any of the plastic flexible or vinyl transition ducts that are in between the main vent (these are frequently inside a wall) and the dryer, using a metal semi-rigid transition duct instead. Vinyl and plastic ducts may catch on fire, whereas semi-rigid metal ducts won’t. Also be sure to keep the dryer vent pipe opening outside free of bushes, birds’ nests and any other debris that can accumulate over the long term.

Whenever your dry vent system isn’t able to properly exhaust, it will over heat. This can threaten your safety, health and home. It is possible to clean the dryer vent system on your own. However, if you would like to have some expert advice or don’t know how to do it, you can contact a professional dryer vent cleaning company like ours to inspect and clean your system to ensure that it is safe. The professional can also answer any questions you might have.