Fire damage is a risk that every property owner needs to be aware of. Whether it is at your personal home, your rental property, or at your business, focusing on fire prevention and making sure that you have the right insurance coverage are two important projects that need to be revisited frequently. 

There are many causes of property fires that are well known, such as cooking accidents, electrical issues, and problems with fireplaces. There is also one extremely common appliance that causes nearly 3,000 fires each year, an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property damage. This appliance is a clothes dryer. In this article, we will explain how these fires can happen, and what to do if you are faced with one. 

How Dryer Fires Can Happen At Your Chicago Property

Clothes dryers work by circulating hot air through a rotating drum. As the items tumble in the drum, tiny fibers and pieces of fabric debris from the clothing create lint, which mostly gets caught in the lint trap. However, some lint always ends up in the dryer vent. When a lot of it builds up, the dryer vent can get blocked and the hot air can’t flow out. This build up of heat and flammable material can cause overheating and fires. 

Most dryer fires start because users fail to clean the lint trap and dryer vents regularly. To prevent dryer fires, clean the lint trap every time you use the dryer, and use your dryer only when you are home. You should also have your dryer vent and ductwork professionally cleaned at least once a year. 

If you have rental property or a business with laundry facilities, make sure all users understand these instructions. Be sure to include inspection and cleaning of your dryers and vents in your regular maintenance schedule. 

If you do experience a dryer fire at your home or business, your insurance policy should cover damage to your property and its contents, as well as loss of use. Fire damage is typically covered as long as the fire wasn’t intentionally started. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you have the right protection in place.

Get Professional Help With Fire and Smoke Damage At Your Home or Business

Fires are frightening and can cause a lot of damage in only minutes. They also leave behind a complicated mess that can be dangerous to clean up yourself. It’s easy to understand why you might feel overwhelmed when dealing with a dryer fire, but fortunately help is available. Once all of the occupants are safe and the fire is out, the next steps you should take are contacting your insurance agent, and a trusted, local fire and smoke damage restoration professional. 

McMahon Services and Construction started in 1954, right here in Mundelein, with the same phone number that we still have today. We have proven ourselves in the community by providing the highest quality work, and maintaining a great relationship with the local building departments – we are often recommended by them. We take pride in our work, and  are always proud to show you our previous fire damage restoration projects. 

Dryer fires occur most often in the fall and winter months, peaking in January. Take this time this fall to prevent these scary situations before they happen. If you are faced with a dryer fire at your home or business, contact us today. We work hard to ensure that Chicago area home and business owners are happy that their emergency fire restoration was thoroughly and professionally handled by McMahon Services and Construction.