Your Trusted Chimney Professionals

Keeping Your Home Safe From Dryer Fires and Other Hazards

Keeping Your Home Safe From Dryer Fires & Other Fire Hazards

May 1, 2018

Whether or not you own a fireplace, your home still comes with its own set of fire hazards. Make sure that you know how to handle the worst of these hazards through proper home maintenance and other preventive measures. As your chimney and dryer vent specialists, we can assist you with keeping your home a safe haven for you and your family. If you have any questions about how a chimney sweeper from our team can assist you with home fire safety, please reach out to our team today. We can assist you with everything from chimney repairs to dryer vent cleaning in Frederick and throughout Western Maryland.

Read on to learn more about the best fire safety tips and tricks for your home.

Your Dryer Is More Dangerous Than You Think

Most of us dry our clothes every week without much thought about the machine we throw them into. Unless your dryer stops working, it is probably a household staple that you rarely spend any time worrying about. Unfortunately, due to the high heat of dryers and the buildup of lint in dryer vents, your dryer can potentially be one of the most dangerous fire hazards in your home.

Once upon a time, dryers were always located near the outside wall of a home, which meant dryer vents were very short and usually straight. However, with the modern designs of homes, dryers can be found in any room in the house, as far away from an outside wall as one wants. In this case, the dryer has a long vent, which often bends and winds throughout the home’s walls. Inside those vents is where trouble can begin. Over time, lint can build up inside the dryer vents, getting stuck on corners and bends.

Not only can lint and debris from your clothing buildup in dryer vents, improperly sealed vents can allow access for rodents and other critters. These animals will build nests in your dryer vents, creating a large clog in the system.

A good indication that your dryer vents are in need of cleaning is the inefficient operation of your dryer. When it takes multiple cycles to dry your clothes, it could be due to a clogged dryer vent.

When your dryer vents are filled full of lint and debris, they are essentially a tinderbox waiting to go up in flames. Remedy the situation by scheduling dryer vent cleaning services. Here at Chimney Care Plus, one of our specialties is in ensuring your dryer vents are free of debris.

Never Leave Any Fire Unattended

One of the best ways to ensure your home is safe is by always keeping an eye on any fire you intentionally start. For example, while you may enjoy the smell of your home after burning a variety of candles, you should never leave burning candles unattended while you are away. Only burn candles, incense, and other such items when you are in the same room and can keep an eye on the flame. This is particularly true if you have children or pets in the home. One candle knocked over can lead to a raging blaze.

If you own a fireplace or wood-burning stove, always make sure the fire is put out completely before you leave your home. Even though your fireplace is designed to keep a fire safely inside of its structure, logs can shift and embers can spark through the air. Keep an eye on any fire you build to ensure the safety of your home.

Be Careful When Cooking

In homes that have a stove with gas burners, it is important to also keep your eye on the flame. Even if you are running a short errand, it is never wise to leave a burner of any kind operating while you are away.

Not only can an unattended flame cause a fire, cooking, in general, is one of the leading causes of home fires. Make sure that anytime you are cooking you keep the stovetop and oven free of any flammable debris. Also keep in mind that while sipping on wine when cooking sounds like a great idea, too much alcohol consumption can lead to forgotten stovetops or ovens. Make sure you always double check that your burners and oven are turned off before you call it a night.

Talk to Your Chimney Sweep Experts Today

If you want to keep your home safe from dryer vent fires, talk to our team about scheduling dryer vent cleaning services today. Not only do we provide outstanding chimney sweep services, we also are CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Duct Technicians. We will clean your dryer vents and free them from any obstructions, as well as inspect the vent system to ensure it is installed properly. If you have any concerns about your dryer vents, please give us a call today at 301-969-4114 or reach out to us online — we provide dryer vent cleaning services across Western Maryland from our hometown of Frederick. We look forward to assisting you keeping your home safe from fires.

Our Chimney Sweep Blog

Maximizing Comfort and Efficiency: Tips for Proper Wood Stove Installation in Maryland

When it comes to enhancing the comfort and efficiency of your home in Maryland, proper wood stove installation is key. With the cold winters in the state, ensuring your wood stove is installed correctly can make a significant…

Read More

Wood stoves are not only a source of warmth and comfort but also an environmentally friendly heating option for homes in Maryland. To ensure that your wood stove operates at its peak efficiency while minimizing its environmental impact,…

Read More

The Role of Professional Installation in Ensuring a Safe and Efficient Wood Stove in Your Maryland Home

When the temperatures drop in Maryland, many homeowners turn to wood stoves to keep their houses warm and cozy. However, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of a wood stove goes beyond simply purchasing one. Professional installation plays…

Read More