Keep your laundry room fire safe
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Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service provides important tips to prevent
fires in your dryer
Did you know dryers
that are not properly maintained are one of the leading causes of home fires?
Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS) is here to make sure everyone is aware
of the importance of properly cleaning your dryer.
Here are
tips everyone should keep top mind:
- Clean the dryer lint filter before or after each use. Lint buildup can be a fire hazard. Never operate a dryer without a lint filter.
- Once a year, clean lint out of the vent pipe. Do it more often if it takes longer than normal to dry your clothes.
- Make sure the exhaust vent is not blocked and the flaps can open.
- Line-dry materials that had chemicals, oils or gasoline on them. Even after washing, these flammable substances can start a fire in the dryer.
- Don’t put natural or synthetic rubber, rubber-coated sneakers, foam pillows or any clothing with foam padding in the dryer.
- Don’t store clothing or combustible items on the washer or dryer. This could spread a fire faster.
- Turn off the dryer before leaving home or going to bed.
- If a fire starts inside the dryer, don’t open the dryer door. Leave your home and call 9-1-1.
For more
safety and fire prevention tips, watch the City of Vaughan’s new video on laundry room fire safety or visit vaughan.ca/fire.
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