3 areas that can cause house fires that you may not be aware of
Just a very short blog post identifying some areas that have been known to cause house fires. Most of these issues can be solved with basic maintenance, and are worth checking out in your home.
Rain Gutters
Regardless of fire hazard it’s always a good idea to keep your gutters clean anyway. Gutter full of leaves, branches, and pine needles are a fuel source for fires and can ignite from sparks or embers from a nearby fire, or even a fire pit or fireplace. The gutters are in a perfect location to catch a spark or ember and start the roof on fire. Gutters clogged with debris can also leak water into the basement or even inside of walls sparking an electrical wire fire.
Washing Machines
I don’t know how often washing machines catch on fire, but it has been known to happen. I do know however that one house fire is more than enough, I can assure you. Washing machine fires are most often caused by electrical malfunctions from faulty wiring, damaged cords, or issues with the circuit board. If you smell burning wires or hear anything odd like sparking, do not ignore it, get the machine checked out or replaced.
Overloading the washing machine by stuffing too many clothes in it can cause excessive vibration potentially causing damage to internal components. It can also overwork the motor causing excessive heat. A blocked drain pump can also cause the motor to overheat. Never leave a running washing machine unattended for extended periods.
Dryer Vent
Dryer vent fires are far more common than you might think, and very preventable. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that clothes dryers cause nearly 17,000 house fires in North America every year. The main cause is lint build up in the dryer and exhaust duct. Lint can be highly flammable and builds up in the dryer vent restricting airflow and causing the dryer to overheat. Inadequate ventilation can also cause problems. Make sure your dryer vent hose tubing allows for good ventilation. Never leave a running dryer unattended for extended periods, and always clean the lint screen prior to use.
