Dangers of clothes dryers

In 1998, it is believed that clothes dryers were responsible for 15,600 fires which resulted in 20 deaths and 370 injuries. Most of us know that it is VITALLY inportant that lint traps be cleaned out after each and every load of laundry. There are other areas in and around the dryer where lint also builds up. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the following advice to prevent your dryer from overheating and possibly causing your house to burn.

* Use rigid-metal dryer ducts instead of flexible-plastic or foil ducts.

* Clean the lint screen on your dryer each and every time that you dry laundry.

* No matter what kind of duct you have, you should clean it regularly. In addition to protecting your home from fires, your clothes will actually dry quicker.

* Clean inside, behind and underneath the dryer where lint can also build up.

* Wash any laundry that has had gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, furniture finishing oils and stains at least two times. Instead of using the dryer for them, hang them outside to be dried.

* Avoid using liquid fabric softeners on all-cotton fabrics such as fleece, terry cloth or velour. It has been found that this softener added to rinse water actually accelerates the burning speed of these fabrics. Use dryer sheets instead.

* Occasionally wipe the dryer's sensor with cottton balls soaked with rubbing alcohol. The sensors are usually located just below the dryer door. Normally, they look like 2 curved metallic strips that are shaped like the letter "C".

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