As we all make our preparations for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, I wanted to remind you my friends, to please check something you may not have thought of. I know we are all busy and don't need to do one more thing!
We have noticed over the last couple of months that our clothes were not getting dry during just one cycle in the dryer. So we would often let them go for another cycle. My dryer is not that old. Well, I don't think eight years is that old.
Grayden said he felt he was being urged to do something about this issue. We always clean the lint filter after each drying cycle. We also will occasionally use a special brush made to go into the filter basket for further cleaning. Our dryer is in the laundry room in our basement. The dryer is vented to the outside through the normal dryer venting system.
Grayden decided to check the vent on the outside. Well, lo and behold, he was able to get out an enormous amount of lint. At first he was able to get a small amount, but then came up with this pile of lint. We were beyond shocked! We know the venting was clean when we put this dryer in place. I'm sure you are aware of problems with lint catching on fire in dryer vents. There are fires every year that are started this way. With this amount of lint a fire could have easily started! We are so thankful that Grayden was listening to that small voice that speaks. Sometimes we listen and sometimes we don't.
Please ladies and gentlemen, make sure your dryer vent is clear all the way to the outside. If you can't do it yourself, there are businesses that can do it for you. In some areas, local firemen do this job on the side. It is worth the life of you and your family. According to FEMA there are 29,000 dryer vent fires every year in the United States, resulting in deaths, and 35 million dollars of property damage. Most dryer vent fires are in the fall and winter, peaking in January. It is recommended that you clean out the dryer venting system every three months! Grayden, please add that to your list! ♥
