Could Your Dryer Cause a Fire? Let's talk dryer fire facts.

~ Beth Anne Nesselt
Manager, Community Risk Reduction Section
___________________________________________________________________________________

 For Spanish click here

Over the last several weeks, MCFRS has responded to a number of clothes dryer-related fires. A lack of maintenance, buildup of lint, placing inappropriate items in the dryer and inadequate venting are frequently cited as contributing factors.
Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers. Some important safety tips:

 Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Clean around your dryer to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.

 Don't leave a clothes dryer running if you leave the house or go to bed. Like anything with moving parts and electronic components, faulty wiring and damaged machinery can potentially cause dryer fires. For example, a "heat sensor" that fails to turn off your dryer when the clothes are dry or a roommate that forgot to clean the lint filter... again. 

 Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked. 

 Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct annually. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again. MCFRS recommends having a qualified service technician clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct annually.

 Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.

 Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. 

There are several warning signs that dangerous lint buildup has occurred in your dryer and venting system, indicating that it needs a thorough cleaning: 

- Clothes take longer to dry or don't dry fully
- Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the drying cycle
- Outside of dryer gets very hot
- Outside exhaust vent flapper does not open very much, indicating       low exhaust velocity
- Laundry room becomes more humid than usual
- Burnt smell is evident in the laundry room

Maintenance Tips:

- Inspect the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it is not damaged or restricted.

- Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is on. 

- Replace coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid, non-ribbed metal duct.

- Have gas-powered dryers inspected every year by a professional to inspect the dryer and the gas line connection. 

- Check regularly to make sure nests of small animals and insects are not blocking the outside vent.

Fireplace Safety 101

 ~ Beth Anne Nesselt
Manager, Community Risk Reduction Section

___________________________________________

 For Spanish click here

When is the last time you had your chimney inspected? Fireplaces can add extra heat in the winter, but if they're not properly maintained, they can also become a hazard.

The purpose of a chimney is to carry hazardous gases and smoke out of your home. If chimneys are not cleaned regularly, residue called creosote can build up inside your chimney and catch fire. When you clean your chimney and have it inspected periodically, you help ensure there is a clear pathway for gasses and heat to escape.

If you're planning on firing up the fireplace, please keep the following tips in mind to help prevent chimney fires:

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a chimney professional. A chimney professional will make sure your chimney is structurally sound and will remove creosote buildup and any other debris (such as animal nests).
•  Important: COOL your ashes and then CAN your ashes. Embers from fires can retain heat and reignite for days after the original fire.
• Only burn dried-out wood - cardboard, trash, or other objects can burn very quickly and the flames can get out of control. Never dispose of a Christmas tree in your fireplace. Like ever. 
• Never (ever) use flammable liquids! You're not lighting the grill. No charcoal, no lighter fluid, no kerosene, no gasoline. 
• Keep your fireplace doors opened or cracked when burning a fire, as restricted air supply can cause creosote buildup.
• Stay on the lookout for signs of chimney fires. Indications of chimney fires include dense smoke and a loud rumbling noise (often compared to a freight train). If you think you have a chimney fire, get everyone safely out of your home and call 911. Never attempt to fight the fire yourself. 
• It is important to note that some chimney fires are slow-burning and may not make loud noises or have lots of smoke. These can cause damage to your home as well and weaken the structure of your chimney.
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are WORKING. Carbon monoxide is known as the "silent killer".
• Chimney fires often lead to house fires. It's important to follow safe fire-burning practices. Maintain your chimneys by having them inspected at least once per year.

Community Risk Reduction Week: 2022

~ Beth Anne Nesselt
Manager, Community Risk Reduction Section

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is joining safety professionals from across the nation to promote Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week and share the proactive work being done in the community.

What is CRR? CRR is a data-driven process that identifies and prioritizes fire and life safety risks and then strategically invests and directs resources to reduce their occurrence and impact. The goal of CRR is to build healthy, safe and resilient communities by educating people about the important actions they can take to keep themselves and their families safe and prepared ---  before an emergency occurs. The purpose of CRR is to protect the lives and property of residents by “getting ahead of the call” and preventing or putting mitigation strategies in place before emergencies occur (like smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers). The process of CRR allows for fire departments to identify the unique risks and needs of each community. Those needs are then met through the implementation of the 5 E’s; Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Emergency Response, and Economic Incentive. (Our CRR Team likes to add a sixth "E"--- ENTHUSIASM)! These strategies are driven by data-informed processes that help identify and prioritize risk. 

Throughout CRR Week, we will be focused on each of these key areas and also the great work being done with our community partners. Keep an eye on our social media channels and don't hesitate to reach out if we can assist you (virtually).

Now -- meet the MCFRS Community Risk Reduction team!

Beth Anne Nesselt 

Oscar Mendez

Anthony Ramirez

Jim Resnick 

Use Space Heaters Safely

~ Beth Anne Nesselt
Manager, Community Risk Reduction Section

___________________________________________

For Spanish click here

December through March are peak months for home fire deaths. While space heaters can be a quick way to heat up a chilly room, that warmth comes with a BIG warning label. Each year, space heaters are involved in 79% of fatal home heating fires. As temperatures drop, here are 10 things you need to know: 

1. Give space heaters space. Keep your space heater at least THREE feet away from anything flammable. That means clothes and blankets, stacks of newspapers, furniture, rugs and even walls. Allow at least three feet of open space on each side of the unit.

2. Plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet. Never (ever) use an extension cord or power strip with a space heater, which could overheat and cause a fire. 

3. Opt for quality. When shopping for a space heater, select a unit that has all the latest safety features and the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) label of approval. Look for cool-to-the-touch housings and automatic shutoff features that turn the unit off if it’s tipped over or overheating. Some units will automatically shut off if their infrared sensors detect a person or object that is too close to the heater panel—making them desirable choices for households with kids or pets.

4. Never leave a space heater “on” in an unoccupied room. Always turn off a space heater when you leave the room and before going to bed. Throw on some extra blankets and unplug the unit as an extra precaution.

5. Size matters. Before purchasing a space heater, check the label to see if it is the appropriate size for the area you want to heat.

6. Make sure your house can handle it. Space heaters use a lot of electricity --- as much as fifteen 100-watt light bulbs. This can be too much for older houses with old wires and electrical circuits. When wires get overheated, fires can also start inside the walls where they are hard to spot. If the circuit breaker trips, don’t plug it back in.

7. Keep space heaters away from water. Like any electrical device, they pose a shock hazard. To help prevent shocks, avoid using space heaters in rooms where spills and moisture build-ups are likely such at bathrooms and kitchens.

8. Safety first. Check your heaters regularly – look for frayed wires and remove dust accumulation on grates, grills, coils and other elements of the heater.

9. Hot, hot, hot. Some parts of the heater can become really hot. Children, seniors and pets are especially vulnerable to getting burned.

10. Finally, don’t rely on space heaters to heat your home. They’re designed to supplement a central heating strategy – NOT replace it. Make sure every room in which you plan to use a space heater has working smoke alarms and that your house has a carbon monoxide alarm.