If you are like every other home owner out there, you are probably wondering if you should take the time to have your dryer vents cleaned.  According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are approximately 15000 fires a year in the United States that are caused by dry exhaust duct fires.  This is something that can be completely prevented if you know what to look for and what to do to prevent it. 

First, it is important to understand exactly what you should look for.  Most people notice over time that the length of time to get your clothes dry increases.  This is due to the amount of dryer lint and debris that get caught in the dryer duct.  This debris is what is causing the dryer to not operate according to the way it is supposed to.  It is blocking the systems exhaust system and in turn this can cause a fire to start.  This is because the dryer cannot operate properly and thus the temperature of the dryer increases to a point where it is high enough to cause a fire with the most likely combustible of the lint. 

So now that you know what causes dryer fires, how can you prevent them from occurring?  This has a quick and easy answer- inspect and clean your dryer vents regularly. Every time you use your dryer, take the time to clean out the lint filter.  This will prevent unwanted lint from moving down into the dryer ducts.  Take the time to clean up the lint from under and around the dryer itself.  This will decrease the amount of combustible material in the area.  Make sure that you use duct material that is made of rigid metal to decrease the amount of lint that builds up inside.  You want to avoid duct material that is easily crushable or kinked which can cause a major decrease in the flow of air.  Finally, you should check the dryer vent from the outside of your house every 3 to 6 months to make sure that it is working properly while the dryer is working. 

If you notice that during this routine maintenance that you are not getting enough air flow or that it is still taking a longer time to get your clothes dry, then you should consult with a professional.  A professional will be able to inspect your dryer, dryer duct and venting system for any problems.  They also should remove the duct system and completely clean it as well as clean the interior motor area of the dryer to render them lint free.  Once this is done, your dryer should be in top condition and you should no longer have to fear a problem.  Just as a reminder, you should never let your appliances run while you are not home.