Get rid of a major fire hazard
Lint is the natural by-product of fabric wear and tear. You'll find lint in your washing machine, clothes dryer and even your belly button! But it's in the clothes dryer where it can be most dangerous. The Tasmania Fire Service reports that a significant number of house fires are caused by lint build-up in tumble driers. Here's why:
As your washing is tumble-dried it will invariably shed lint – particularly items like towels. Every drier has a lint filter that collects the lint so it doesn't blow around your laundry room. If the lint filter is left unchecked between loads it can build up to a point where it prevents the hot air within the drier from being expelled. Under these conditions the clothes inside can become so hot that they can combust and start a fire. The simple solution is to clean your lint filter regularly, and make sure your drier completes its 'cool-down' cycle.
Some models feature an automatic cut-off when the the dryer goes over a preset temperature. This cuts off the power and reduces the risk of fire. It's a good safety feature, but if you can't reset it you'll need a service call if it trips.
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