Laundry Dryer Fire Safety: A Guide to Protecting Your Home

Every year, thousands of fires are sparked by laundry dryers, causing significant property damage and even loss of life. The good news is that most of these fires are preventable with proper dryer maintenance and safety practices. This article will provide you with essential tips to ensure your home remains safe from dryer fires.

**Understanding the Risks**

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that firefighters respond to approximately 13,820 home fires caused by clothes dryers annually¹. Lint accumulation is a leading cause of these fires, accounting for about 27% of incidents¹. It's crucial to recognize the signs of a clogged dryer vent, such as longer drying times and a lack of exhaust air outside when the dryer is running¹.

**Preventative Measures**

1. **Regular Cleaning**: Clean the lint filter before and after every load. This simple step not only prevents fires but also improves dryer efficiency¹.

2. **Proper Ductwork**: Replace plastic or foil accordion-style ducts with rigid metal ducts. Their smooth walls allow better airflow and reduce lint buildup¹.

3. **Annual Inspections**: At least once a year, inspect and clean the dryer duct and venting system. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional¹.

**Safety Tips**

- **Installation and Service**: Always have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional².

- **Lint Filter**: Use the dryer with a lint filter and clean it regularly².

- **Venting System**: Check the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it's not damaged or restricted².

- **Outdoor Vent**: Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating².

**In Case of Fire**

If a fire does start in your dryer, don't attempt to extinguish it yourself. Evacuate immediately and call 911. Trying to handle the situation on your own can be dangerous.

Dryer fire safety is a critical aspect of home maintenance that should not be overlooked. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of a fire and keep your home and family safe. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to fire safety.

For more detailed information and resources on dryer fire safety, you can visit the websites of Consumer Reports and the U.S. Fire Administration¹².

Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/13/2024

(1) How to Prevent Dryer Fires - Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/clothes-dryers/how-to-prevent-dryer-fires-a6837216286/.

(2) Clothes Dryer Fire Safety - U.S. Fire Administration. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/clothes_dryer_fire_safety_flyer.pdf.

(3) How to avoid a dryer fire at home - Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/appliances/laundry/1432781626/how-to-avoid-a-dryer-fire-at-home/.

(4) Fire Prevention 52: Dryer Fires - U.S. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/p52-dryer-fires.htm

After a Catastrophic Event - Be mindful of the complexities of Solar Panels Used on Real Property

BE MINDFUL OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF SOLAR PANELS

Solar Power has surged in popularity over the years as a viable form of renewable energy for everything from powering our homes and vehicles to powering whole city blocks. However, while this technology may have garnered considerable public interest and investment over the years, it is still in its infancy compared to older and more thoroughly developed forms of energy production, such as fossil fuels or nuclear fission. The main appeal that sets Solar Power (as well as other forms of renewable energy) apart from these older forms of energy production is their potential to continuously produce energy without ever running out of their required resources; some also believe that the production and usage of renewable energy is a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear power, though this is not always the case.

Something many people do not consider is that many solar panels will remain active in sunlight, even when disconnected from a power bank. This is because most solar panels are “always on” and begin producing energy when exposed to the sun’s rays. Because of this, they present a unique risk to first responders and firefighters, who are often sent out to deal with several emergencies at any given time – including structural fires. Solar panels output energy in DC (direct current) instead of AC (alternating current), which means exposure to a current produced by a solar cell is much more dangerous than exposure to a current from a typical wall outlet. This is because DC electricity flows consistently and continuously without variation, increasing the likelihood that one electrocuted by such means will die from the experience as they are more likely to lock up and be physically incapable of breaking away from the current coursing through them.

Two of the major factors in the safety and functionality of any solar power setup are the quality of the panels themselves and the quality of installation of said panels. While solar panels manufactured here in the USA are subject to strict standards and quality control before they ever reach the market, several brands produced overseas (mostly in China) have become popular due to affordability, especially compared to brands manufactured in the USA. Unfortunately, many of these panels from overseas simply do not have the same level of failsafe redundancies present in US panels, resulting in higher failure rates and even increasing the potential for catastrophic failures such as causing house fires or presenting unmitigated electrocution risks. Furthermore, even if US-made panels are used, improper installation can sometimes result in bypassing the intended fail-safes built into these panels, making them just as dangerous as any other raw energy source; a staggering percentage of fires involving solar panels were discovered to have been caused by shoddy installation.

There is a lot of fluff out there regarding alternative energies where only the positive talking points are discussed, but beyond those talking points exist real dangers – dangers that can only be combated by educating ourselves about the realities of the risks that are taken when dealing with these newer forms of energy production. Regardless of how our energy is produced, it must always be remembered that the end product - raw electricity – remains just as dangerous as ever.

The Dangers of Lithium-Ion Batteries

THE DANGERS OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Its common knowledge that all electronic devices and appliances carry their own inherent risk of failure. These failures are self-contained and typically only affect the functionality of the devices themselves, but on occasion, certain kinds of failures can result in considerable damage not only to the devices in question, but also to their surrounding environments as well. Portable devices powered by batteries are no exception, and in fact can often pose more of a risk than plug-in devices; this is especially true for devices that use lithium-ion batteries.

When it comes to lithium-ion batteries, numerous dangers must be considered that are not present in other electronics, or even in standard lithium-metal batteries (those that are non-rechargeable). This is primarily due to the high energy density of lithium-ion batteries as well as the flammability of the electrolytic solutions they contain. Normally this is not an issue when devices containing these batteries are manufactured and handled correctly, however, not all of them are. Minor defects in these batteries at the time of manufacture along with user misuse, or lack of understanding in how these batteries work can sometimes lead to catastrophic results. For example, the presence of too much heat can trigger what is known as a Thermal Runaway, where excess energy in one cell causes adjacent cells to quickly release their energy in tandem, causing damage to the battery and its surrounding environment. Due to the high energy density present within lithium-ion batteries, this can result in a massive release of energy in a brief period of time – effectively even turning some of these batteries into incendiary devices, or miniature explosive missiles in a worst-case scenario.

Damage to a lithium-ion battery that can result in failure is not always immediate; improper charging and storage can also produce detrimental effects. Chargers that do not contain auto-shutoff protocols can result in overcharged batteries that weaken their device’s ability to hold a charge due to damage of the internal circuits. Likewise, storing lithium-ion batteries above or below 50% capacity can also result in a dangerous potential for failure, and it is not advised to store multiple devices containing lithium-ion batteries near each other for this reason.

By following the proper procedures and instructions for handling, charging, and safely storing each of our devices containing lithium-ion batteries, we can effectively minimize the potential for disaster arising from misuse. Utilizing local waste centers that can recycle these batteries instead of disposing of them is another way to help to protect both others and the environment from the dangers of potentially devastating failures posed by these batteries. Its up to each of us as consumers to be aware of the potential issues that come with the ownership of devices containing lithium-ion batteries, and to dispose of damaged or unused devices in accordance with proper guidelines.

Five Common Insurance Risks, and How They Can Be Prevented

#1. Cooking With Oil / Frying Foods

Everyone loves fried foods; even when someone claims they don’t, we generally assume that their reasons are health related. The rise in popularity of fried foods has lead to more and more people adding fry-cooking appliances to their homes for when the mood strikes them to eat something cooked in oil. Many fry-cooking appliances available to the general public are electronic, and for good reason; oil and grease, when exposed to an open flame, tend to ignite. Indeed, cooking is the #1 cause of house fires in the US and many of these cooking-related fires are specifically grease fires. Water will not put out grease fires, but instead cause them to spread – making minor cooking mishaps into potentially catastrophic house fires. It is extremely important to first attempt smothering these kinds of fires, followed by dousing them with dry chemical fire extinguishers if the initial smothering is ineffective. Again, NEVER attempt to put out a grease/oil fire with water.

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#2. Chaining Power Strips / Overloading Electrical Outlets

Here in the 21st century, there are so many electronic products and appliances available to us that it can be easy to run out of available power outlets. This has lead to many people purchasing power strips so that they may increase the amount of electronics that can be powered through a single outlet. While this in itself is not dangerous, it can become a significant hazard when individuals choose to link multiple power strips together – potentially resulting in overloading the outlet. Normally, this results in a circuit breaker severing the connection to that area and cutting off power, but in the short time before the breaker is switched, overloaded outlets can produce excess heat and sparks that can easily start fires around the area of chained outlets.

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#3. Oily Rags Left Near Heat Sources

Doing your own oil changes and auto-maintenance at home is a great way to save some money for those who are qualified to do so, but there is no avoiding the mess. Motor oil is bound to spill or splash, and when this happens, that oil needs to be cleaned up and either recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste. Not only is this due to general environmental concerns (and the law), but also due to the immediate danger this causes in your workspace. Oftentimes in home garages, there is poor ventilation and many more potential heat sources within close proximity than are found in professional shops. Even something as seemingly minor as an oily rag on a power adaptor can quickly ignite and catch fire – which is why it is essential to always be mindful of potential heat sources and their proximity to your workspace and materials.

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#4. Placement of External Power Adaptors / Lack of Cooling

Many consumer devices require significantly less power than any given outlet will produce; this is why many devices such as cell phones and laptops come with external power adaptors. By regulating the voltage and amplitude of the power coursing through them, these power adaptors allow us to use wall outlets to charge or power our devices without overloading the circuits. As a result of this process, the adaptors themselves tend to produce heat and rely on external cooling to maintain safe operation. Ambient external temperatures and internal heat sinks generally take care of the issue, but when these devices are covered up and further insulated, they can produce significant levels of heat – hot enough to ignite a large number of fabrics and synthetic materials. Maintaining open airflow for your adaptors not only helps cool them, but also helps to keep them from becoming potential fire hazards.

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#5. Fireplace Proximity to Flammable Materials / Lack of Fireplace Barrier

Fireplaces are wonderful tools for heating our homes and helping us relax after a long day. The entire concept of the fireplace revolves around containing a fire, and an essential part of this is the fireplace barrier (also referred to as a fireplace screen, guard, or fence). This is a barrier that is meant to fit in front of your fireplace to prevent embers from escaping, but some people do not like to use them as them must be moved each time a log is added or poked. Neglecting to use an adequate fireplace barrier has been a centuries-old cause of house fires that unfortunately, continues to this day.

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Everyday, people are exposed to risks that they may not immediately be aware of. In order to gain peace of mind and be assured that their insurance claim is being properly handled by professionals who protect the policyholder's interests, many residential and business property owners will hire a Public Adjusting firm to prove the extent of loss incurred at their respective properties instead of dealing directly with their carriers - as Public Adjusters are the ONLY type of adjusters who are licensed to exclusively represent the interests of the insured. With that in mind, it makes sense that savvy policyholders are hiring Public Adjusting Firms each day to represent their claims instead of deferring to the company adjusters assigned to them who are paid directly by the insurance company to protect the carrier’s interests.

Are you, or is someone you know, currently dealing with an insurance claim? Contact us today to see how BenchMark Public Adjusting Group can manage you claim and maximize the indemnification you receive for damages incurred!