NORMAL, Ill. -- A clothes dryer fire Sunday night caused $3,000 damage to a house in the Savannah Green Subdivision of Normal.
The fire, which happened around 8 p.m. Sunday evening, was contained to the dryer, but the heat damaged the nearby clothes washer and walls of the laundry area.
Firefighters were able to distinguish the fire within about 10 minutes, so there was minimal water and smoke damage to the remainder of the house.
When the first engine arrived at the scene, the occupants had safely evacuated from the home. No one was injured.
Public Information Officer Matt Swaney said this was an opportune time to remind people to check their dryers and dryer vents for excessive lint buildup, which, he said, is "surprisingly flammable" and "burns rapidly."
"Please remember to check and clean your lint trap after every load, and regularly clean and inspect your dryer lint build up in other locations," said Swaney.
The Normal Fire Department offered these additional clothes dryer safety tips:
- Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes
- Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically
- Have a certified technician clean and inspect the dryer and venting system regularly
- Replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting, which safely handles the heat from the dryer while providing maximum airflow
- Keep the area around the dryer clean and free from clutter
- Always use the appropriate eletrical outlet for dryers and all major appliances
- Always read the manufacturer warnings in the user manual
- Never place clothing or fabric stained with a flammable substance, such as alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers or motor oil, in the dryer (flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode)
- Never leave a dryer operating if you are not home
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