Halftime Hope Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 hose and under the lint trap for accumulated lint that could overheat. In the last 5 year we took care of my FIL, he would never, ever let us run the dryer after bedtime or when no one was home, because he feared it catching on fire. He also got us all into the habit of pulling the dryer and hose apart and cleaning out the lint twice a year, when we change batteries in the smoke detectors during Daylight Savings Time change weekends. We would not have thought of adding that to the safety maintenance of the house, but he had a healthy paranoia that I've come to be thankful for. If you haven't checked to see what's in your dryer hose lately, you might want to see. (I kinda sound like the Chase Credit card commercials, don't I?) Thus endeth today's PSA. :) I'll post a reminder on "Spring Forward" weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 Yep, we will now be doing this a few times a year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 We just figured this out as well. Luckily ourse did not catch fire, but it did come close. We were lucky...as it was running after bedtime! Now we take it apart and clean it out twice a year as well...maybe we will up that to 4 times a year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommybee Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 After a post a few years back right here on the boards, we now regularly open our entire dryer up and clean out the lint. It was actually pretty easy to do and really needed it. It was amazing how much was in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 May I add working carbon monoxide detectors? My grandmother died a few years ago because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Horrible -- just horrible. Her death was because of a generator my uncle had hooked up for her after a storm. He did not leave the garage door open to let the exhaust out, so it seeped into her house. But, if she had had a CO detector, she would still be alive today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Ours currently won't stay ON the vent to the outside - it's a new pipe... but the dryer has such force that well, it keeps blowing off the clips! I really need him to fix that..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halftime Hope Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 May I add working carbon monoxide detectors? My grandmother died a few years ago because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Yes, that's really important, too. I forgot to mention, b/c our smoke detectors or combo units w/ the CO detector. (I think they only last a couple of years, though, so I need to check and make sure we're properly safeguarded. Thanks for the mention, and I'm really sorry!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Just FYI - not everyone needs CO detectors. As long as you do not have gas appliances and do not run gas motors indoors (even in an open garage), there is no danger of CO build up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver0f10 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Just FYI - not everyone needs CO detectors. As long as you do not have gas appliances and do not run gas motors indoors (even in an open garage), there is no danger of CO build up. Actually other furnaces can too... "Carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, colourless and odourless poisonous gas often referred to as “the silent killer.†It is produced when fuels such as natural gas, oil, wood, propane and kerosene don’t get enough air to burn up completely. Damaged or blocked venting inside heating systems, as well as inadequate air flow can allow CO to build up inside the home." http://www.safety-council.org/info/home/CO.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Mouse Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I wanted to add that anyone with a fireplace or wood burning stove in use should have a carbon monoxide detector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I've tried to figure this out and can't seem to.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 The CDC also reports that common sources of carbon monoxide exposure include: Oil and gas furnaces Motor vehicles Stove/Gas range Gas line leaks Gas water heaters Generators Space heaters So you should definitely have a carbon monoxide detector in your home if you have any appliances that are not electric and that burn natural or liquefied petroleum gas, oil, wood, coal, or other fuels, or if you have a home with an attached garage. Another interesting thing to note is that smokers already have less oxygen and more CO in their blood stream, so they are actually more susceptible to CO poisoning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommybee Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 I've tried to figure this out and can't seem to.... You know I found these books about simple repairs at the library...I'm on my way to work there now so I'll check the name....but the book had a step by step and with my dryer manual it was really simple. It's been a while since we did it so my memory is fuzzy, but I recall being surprised it wasn't too difficult and we were so happy to vacuum out all the accumulated lint from the inside. I'll post the title when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in the NH Woods Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Do not run a generator in your garage at ALL. We have just come off a ten day storm-related power outage here, and folks were getting sick even when they left the garage doors ajar with the generator running. Don't take a chance. I'm so sorry to the woman who lost their family member that way. How sad for everyone. Cindy in NH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyomarie Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 May I add working carbon monoxide detectors? My grandmother died a few years ago because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Horrible -- just horrible. Her death was because of a generator my uncle had hooked up for her after a storm. He did not leave the garage door open to let the exhaust out, so it seeped into her house. But, if she had had a CO detector, she would still be alive today. Yes- even in an apartment. Tomorrow there will be a funeral for a young woman who died of CO poisoning- totally unexpected. Her husband and child fortunately survived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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