Jim Buie, from Dryer Vent Wizard in North Carolina reached out to ABCO to comment on our dryer vent tips blog posting. Jim is a retired firefighter, trying to reduce the number of homes and deaths caused by dryer fires.

There are significant reports of deaths due to dryer fires. This is completely unnecessary, and we endorse and applaud these franchises for providing such an invaluable service, and education to our consumers.

Jim provided us with some valuable information that we would like to pass along:

 “Now is probably the best time to have dryer vents checked and cleaned because of the economic crisis and because we are in the dead of winter when we are washing more clothes than ever. In areas that have abundant snowfall, the dryer vent exhaust could be covered by snow or the damper could be frozen closed. Regardless of the climate, many times, we find the exhaust blocked off due to a buildup of lint. A dryer needs to exhaust properly to dry clothes efficiently and a clogged or closed vent causes the dryer to run longer, overheat, and cause fires. It also causes undue wear and tear on the dryer and consumes needless energy. In this time of economic crisis, having your dryer vent cleaned would save energy which lowers power bills, reduces wear and tear saving on repair bills and down time, saves time for the homeowner, makes the home safer, and contributes to a greener America–I say, “Going Green, have your dryer vent cleaned!”

Thank you Jim, for providing such valuable safety information!

Jim can be reached at Dryer Vent Wizard of N.E. North Carolina; 3004 Lansdowne Drive, Tarboro, NC 27886.  Email: jbuie@dryerventwizard.com

Check them out at www.dryerventwizard.com

So you may be asking yourself now, what is a fire mark and why is it still prevalent today? Back in Benjamin Franklin’s day, subscribers would pay fire-fighting companies in advance to ensure that they would have fire protection. In exchange, they would receive what is known as a fire mark, which would be attached to their building. Many of these fire marks can still be seen on buildings today. The payments that were made for the fire marks went to supporting the fire-fighting companies.

The use of fire marks in America was the longest and most successful ad campaign in American history. Fire marks served many purposes, but the main reason in America is quite simple, a fire mark was a sign that the property was insured. Both the insured and the insurance company benefited from this “advertising.” They reached their peak from 1850 until 1870 where as a result of technology they quickly faded out.

More information can be found here.

Here at ABCO we offer a wide variety of first aid and personal protection products for a safe and healthful workplace. Some of our services include:

• Fire and Safety Signage
• Maintenance and Safety Equipment
• Safety Storage and Cabinets
• Spill Control Products
• Personal Protection Equipment
• Fire Doors
• Evacuation Routing
• Eye-wash Station Service and Inspection
• Breathing Apparatus Maintenance and Recharging
• Emergency Escape Ladders

For more information on how you can ensure workplace safety for you and your employees, contact our knowledgeable customer service representatives by phone at 1.800.875.7200 or or complete the Contact Us form.

1. Clean your lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of laundry. If it is still damp at the end of a typical cycle or it requires longer time than normal, it may be a sign that the screen or duct is blocked.

2. Clean the vent and exhaust periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is in use to be sure exhaust air is escaping. If air is not escaping, the duct may be blocked. To remove blockage, you may need to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer.

3. Clean up built-up lint behind the dryer. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer periodically to reduce the accumulation of lint. Also keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.

4. Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type material with a rigid or corrugated metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of rigid or corrugated metal because it provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil types can easily trap lint and can easily kink, reducing airflow.

5. Take special care when drying your laundry that has been previously soiled with chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oil, cleaning agents or finishing oils. If possible, wash the laundry multiple times and hang to dry. If you must use the dryer, use the lowest heat setting and cycle with a cool down period.

Did you know that dryer vent cleaning could save you between $15 and $25 each month in energy savings?

1.)  Make sure your pets are close to entrances/exits when you are away from home. Having your pet collared and leashes nearby in case of a fire can help fire fighters safely rescues animals from burning houses.

2.)  Keep young pets in a confined area. By veifying that young animals are in enclosed parts of your home you can prevent them from potentially starting the fire. Crates and baby gates are easy ways to secure an area to a pet.

3.)  Use monitored smoke detectors. When pets are left alone it is nearly impossible for them to escape a burning home.  Using a smoke detector connected to a monitoring center, emergency responders can be contacted when you are away.

4.)  Affix a pet alert window cling. Have the number of pets inside your home written down and attached to a static cling on a front window. Rescuers can save a lot of time when locating your pets. Make sure the list is up-to-date.

Throughout the month we encourage you to understand the importance of being a responsible pet owner as well as explain the importance to others. Pets have a heart too, they hurt and cry just like we do. During this month, help spread the word and celebrate Responsible Pet Owners Month.