In a large household, a dryer is an essential appliance to own but, like any other machine, it must be cared for and well maintained if it is to function properly and safely. Dryers are often the cause of many house fires so it’s important to know how a dryer functions in order to use it safely.

Most of us are familiar with how a dryer works. As wet clothes gently spin in the drum, hot air blows into it gradually drying the clothing. During this process, water starts to evaporate forming water vapor. The water vapor needs a means of exiting the drum which it does through the dryer’s vent. Lint is another byproduct that comes from the drying process and this also needs a way of exiting the drum.

How can a dryer become a fire hazard? If water vapor is trapped in the machine the dryer could begin to overheat. The same is true with lint, which is extremely flammable. If it starts to accumulate in the dryer, there is a risk of the fire.

What should you do to maintain your dryer? The vent plays a very important role when it comes to dryer safety. Make sure you check that the vent has not become disconnected from the machine. The vent is also prone to damage, especially if it is fitted into a tight space as is often the case with laundry rooms, this will stop it functioning correctly so give it a thorough inspection. Empty the lint trap every time to do a load of laundry to prevent build up.

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