October is Fire Prevention Month. The history of National Fire Prevention Week goes back to the Great Chicago Fire which occurred October 9, 1871. Such disasters often lead to campaigns that promote public awareness on prevention and safety. The National fire Protection Association is the authority on fire safety.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday of the week in which October 9th falls.
Dryer fires account for over $9,000 in damage to residential buildings annually. For every 1,000 residential dryer fires, there are an average of 33 injuries and 1.2 deaths. Dryer fires peak during the winter months of November through March and occur most commonly between the hours of noon and nine in the evening. Failure to properly maintain dryer vents is the leading cause of dryer fires.
Other causes of dryer fires include improper venting material, storage of combustible material near the dryer and mechanical or electrical problems.
To ensure safety in the home and to prevent clothes dryer fires, consumers should take the following actions:
• Keep a working fire extinguisher, designed for use in the laundry area
• Test smoke detectors periodically, replacing batteries as needed
• Clean lint screens before and after each load of laundry
• Wash lint screens monthly with soap and water to remove residue buildup from dryer sheets
• Use care with rags soaked with combustible chemicals; wash twice before drying, or line dry only
• Keep flammable items stored away from the clothes dryer
• Have your dryer vent system professionally inspected and cleaned annually
• Make sure the dryer vent system is up to code according to city, state, and manufacturer requirements
• Replace plastic or vinyl vents with semi-rigid or solid metal material
• Be sure vent systems are as straight and short as possible to prevent buildup at elbows
• Check the vent cover, outside, for signs of blockage, freezing, or damage
• Develop a fire safety/emergency plan for the household, and rehearse it often
Webb Dickson of Dryer Vent Wizard provides dryer vent cleaning, dryer vent repair, dryer vent installation, dryer vent inspections and all dryer vent services for homes and businesses in New Hampshire, Nashua, Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth, Derry, Bedford, Keene, Milford, Middlesex and Essex County, Massachusetts, Billerica, Burlington, Westford, Concord, Stow, Marlborough, Natick, Hopkinton, Framingham, Gloucester, Middleton, Newburyport, Haverhill, Lawrence, Beverly and neighboring cities and communities.
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New Hampshire, Nashua, Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth, Derry, Bedford, Keene, Milford, Middlesex and Essex County, Massachusetts, Billerica, Burlington, Westford, Concord, Stow, Marlborough, Natick, Hopkinton, Framingham, Gloucester, Middleton, Newburyport, Haverhill, Lawrence, Beverly and neighboring cities and communities.