The Best Worst Thing You Own

Fact: 1 In 22 Fires Is Caused By Something You Have In Your Home Right This Minute.

Laundry is a weekly chore for most of us, but did you know that clothes dryers cause around 15,500 home structure fires, 29 deaths, 400 injuries and $192 million in direct property loss each year? Most dryer fires happen in the winter, so now is the perfect time to make sure that yours is in good shape.

Causes: The #1 cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires is failure to clean. Lint is the biggest culprit. Lint traps do not catch all of the fuzzy stuff, and can gradually build up and catch fire. Lint accumulation and reduced airflow feed on each other to provide conditions ripe for a fire.      

Improper dryer vent practices restrict airflow and lead to lint buildup: the two main preventable causes of clothes dryer fires. If your dryer is installed outside of a basement, it means your dryer has longer vents with twists and turns that allow space for lint to build up. See below for tips on preventing dryer fires.

Laundry habits can also be a risk. It's easy enough to do laundry without reading drying instructions on the tag. We're all guilty of doing this. But sometimes, there are bigger consequences to drying our clothes than shrinking a favorite sweater. Items containing rubber or other materials not meant to be dried at high temperatures, and alcohol or certain sanitizing solutions that are combustible at high heat can cause a fire when exposed to dryer heat. Also, make sure that chapsticks and other plastic-containing items are removed from pockets, hoods with synthetic fur (made of plastic), etc. are removed from your laundry before you put it in the dryer.                              

Is Your Dryer At Risk?: A clothes dryer that is not working properly has an increased risk of catching fire. Signs your dryer might need service:

• Clothes are taking longer than one cycle to dry
• Clothes come out hotter than usual
• There is no visible lint on the lint trap
• Dryer repeatedly stops during a cycle
• The top of the dryer is hot to the touch while running 

Tips To Prevent Dryer Fires (from The Cincinnati Insurance Companies)

1. Have your clothes dryer professionally installed
2. Clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry
3. Clean lint out of the vent pipe every six months
4. Replace coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid, non-ribbed metal duct
5. Inspect the venting system behind your dryer for restrictions, and make sure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is operating
6. Keep the area around the dryer free of items that can burn
7. Don’t overload the dryer
8. Don’t dry items made of foam, rubber or plastic
9. Have a professional inspect gas dryers annually to assure that supply lines and connections are intact and free of leaks

The homeowner’s to-do list: Here’s where to start

Time to get your property in shape after winter.

Now that the seasons have turned, it’s time to assess how your property weathered the winter. This is a good time to make a “to-do” list to prevent property maintenance and liability issues.

Starting from the top:

Roof – Have a roofer check for lifting, curling or missing shingles, or shingles that have suffered granular loss. Remove any debris or built-up moss that can reduce your roof’s life expectancy. Clean gutters of any leaves or debris.

Siding and gutters – Repair any damaged or loose siding; replace any damaged gutters and fascia.

Exterior paint – Warm weather is also a great opportunity to paint siding or doors on your home or garage. A fresh coat of paint can help protect your home’s exterior from the elements.

Windows – Replace and reglaze any windows that may have been broken or lost their seal over the cold winter months. These repairs can also help keep air conditioning costs lower in warm months. Check caulking around windows, basement window wells and other areas where water may seep in.

Railings – Inspect all handrails and porch rails; make sure they’re securely fastened to prevent falls.

Sidewalks and driveways – Since outdoor activities rise with the thermometer, repair any sidewalk or driveway cracks or shifted cement to reduce the chance a guest could trip or fall.

Outdoor lighting – Replace burnt-out bulbs in your outdoor lighting so that porches, steps and walkways have adequate lighting.

Play equipment – Before turning your children loose in the yard, check play equipment for sturdiness and mend gaps in fences. Cold temperatures and precipitation can take a larger toll than expected on these items.

Other equipment – Have your air conditioning serviced before the cooling season, and clean out your clothes dryer vent to prevent a common fire hazard. Replace worn caulking around faucets, and inspect pipes to make sure everything is in working order. Check batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and in your sump pump.

A safe home makes for a happy homeowner….and an enjoyable spring!

Submitted by Laura Lewis