Energy Information

Safety - Electric Fire Hazards

Check Your Dryer Vent

The next time you’re cleaning out the lint trap on your clothes dryer, go an extra step and check the exhaust hose that blows the hot air outdoors. The lint trap doesn’t catch everything; some lint always escapes and builds up in the dryer vent. Not only does that affect the efficiency of your dryer but it can also be a serious hazard. Many fires begin in homes each year because of the trapped, heated lint in clothes dryer vent hoses.

Check Electrical Cords

Pinched electrical cords present real risks. The cord's insulation can be damaged, exposing the wires and leading to fire or shock. So check around your house. Is a lamp cord compressed by the leg of a chair? Is the washing machine cord pinched against the wall or the back of the appliance? It's a simple problem to fix, but left unattended, these cords present a very real danger.

Closet Lights

It sure is handy to have a light in the closet, but realize that lights produce heat. Be sure to keep flammable items well away from closet light bulbs and fixtures. So as you're storing towels, paper goods, wrapping paper or even a stack of clothing, pay attention! If you forget and leave the light burning, it could generate enough heat to set fire to combustible materials.

Extension Cords

Remember - extension cords are intended for temporary use only! If you find that you have a lot of equipment and/or appliances plugged into an extension cord, and that they have been there for several months or even years, you probably need to have some electrical upgrading done on your home in order to update your system and install extra outlets.

When using extension cords, check them frequently. If a cord ever feels hot to the touch, unplug it! It’s overheating, and that presents a serious fire hazard.

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