Importance of Cleaning Dryer Vents

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Film buildup on a dryer vent

Most dryer sheets are made from a nonwoven polyester material coated with a softening agent. This softening agent can leave a film on your lint trap and can block airflow which can sometimes cause your dryer to overheat or cause your dryer to stop before your load is completely dry. Another way to tell if the screen is clogged is if lint falls off while the screen is in the dryer. This film can also make it hard to remove lint because it has blocked holes in the filter and adhered to some of the lint. It is recommended to clean your lint screen of this film every 6 months, or more frequently, if needed. Listed below are steps on how to clean your lint screen.

1. Roll lint off screen with your fingers.
2. Wet both sides of the lint screen with hot water.
3. Wet a nylon brush with hot water and liquid detergent. Scrub lint screen with the brush to remove film buildup.
4. Rinse screen with hot water. 
5. Thoroughly dry the lint screen with a clean towel. Reinstall the screen in the dryer.
6. Clean space where lint screen is located as needed. Using a vacuum, gently remove any lint that has accumulated outside of the lint screen.

Campfire Safety

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2017, 63,546 wildfires were caused by humans and burned nearly 5 million acres. Below are some tips to follow to ensure you and your family have a safe and fun camping experience.

• Most parks have campfire pits ready and waiting for you but if they don't dig a small pit away from tent walls, shrubs, trees, or other flammable objects and circle it with rocks. Also make sure you clear a five foot area around the pit down to the soil.
• Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Stack extra wood upwind and away from the fire.
• Never leave a campfire unattended, not even for a minute.
• Do not build a campfire if the campground, area, or event rules prohibit them.
• Do not build a campfire in hazardous, dry conditions.
• Do not use flammable liquid to ignite your fire such as gasoline, lighter fluid, diesel fuel, and other dangerous liquids. This will help prevent serious accidents and injuries.
• When extinguishing the fire, make sure to drown the fire completely with water. Burying the coals can keep them hot so instead you should pour water and stir the ashes and embers until it is clear that they have all been cooled.

Have a safe and fun summer!

Spring Has Arrived

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

Spring is finally here!

Now that Spring has arrived it's time to do some maintenance on your home. Following is a list of things you should check out and fix/repair if needed.

Gutters and Downspouts- Remove leaves and debris and also make sure to check for leaks

Siding- Clean siding with a pressure washer and check wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure

Window Sills, Door Sills, and Thresholds- Fill cracks, caulk edges, and repaint or replace if necessary

Foundation- Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration

Roof- Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits

Decks and Porches- Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose pieces and deterioration

Landscape- Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures

Sprinklers- Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads

Heat/Air Unit- Change filters and clean the air purifier as needed. Have your ducts professionally cleaned. It'll make your indoor air quality healthier and your furnace more efficient

Space Heater Safety

2/2/2018 (Permalink)

According to USA Today space heaters cause about one-third of all winter house fires and 80 percent of all winter heating fire deaths. They also account for more than 70 percent of all winter fire injuries and half of all property damage caused in heating fires. What can you do to prevent this from happening to you?

Look for space heaters with tip-over and overheat protection

Place your heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture, curtains, bedding, clothing, rugs, and other combustibles

DO NOT plug into an extension cord instead plug directly into an outlet

On a regular basis inspect and maintain your heater

Unplug when not in use

Keep away from water

If you follow these tips you can help prevent a tragic fire from happening to you.