The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue investigator has determined the cause of a Sunday, Sept. 27, house fire on Miley Road in Plant City was a dryer.
According to HCFR, the leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires is failure to clean them.
Engine 26 was able to contain the fire to one room. There were no injuries to civilians or personnel.
The family was alerted to the fire by functioning smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm can provide an early warning that can make the difference between life and death. According to studies published by the National Fire Protection Association, having a smoke alarm cuts your risk of dying in a fire by nearly one half.
If you do not have smoke alarms in your home and can not afford them, please call HCFR at (813) 272-6600 and ask about the SAFE program.
Dryer Safety Tips
- Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
- Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
- Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry.
- Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
- Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
- Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
- Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
- Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
- Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.
- Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
SOURCE: National Fire Protection Association
