National Fire Prevention Week Tip of the Day: Clothes Dryer Safety
October 8th - 14th is Fire Prevention Week!
Tip of the Day - Clothes Dryer Safety
The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires is failure to clean them.
Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.
Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.
Facts and figures:
Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 4%.
The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.
The risk of fire is roughly equal for gas-fueled clothes dryers and electric-powered clothes dryers.
Announcing Tolland Fire Department’s Annual Open House
On Saturday, October 21st, 2017 Tolland Fire Department will host its Annual Community Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Fire Training Center, 191 Merrow Road (across from Meeting House Commons).
The Open House will feature displays of the department’s firefighting, rescue and emergency medical equipment. TFD volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service personnel will be available to explain how various specialized items of equipment, including the Jaws of Life, are used to protect our town. Many of the department’s trucks and an ambulance will be open to the public, making the event particularly appealing for young children.
This event offers a convenient opportunity for adult town residents who are interested in volunteering as a firefighter or EMT with the Tolland Fire Department, Inc., to talk with current department members about training with the department and the sense of satisfaction that may be derived from providing a valuable service to their neighbors and the Tolland community.
As part of its corporate commitment to fire safety, Papa Gino’s Pizza of Vernon will again provide free pizza for those who visit the Open House, starting at noon. Other light refreshments will be provided throughout the Open House. There will also be a drawing for door prizes at the conclusion of the event.
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