Laundry room safety

Are you aware of the risks lurking in your laundry room? To minimize the risk of dryer fires and to avoid exposing children to dangerous detergents, follow these tips to maintain a safe laundry room.

What to clean

Spills

Wipe them up as soon as they happen. Soapy detergent can cause falls, and clear bleach could be mistaken for water.

Lint traps

Empty it after every load and clean it with a nylon brush every six months.

Dryer ducts and vents

Hire professionals to clean your ducts and vent if you notice a decrease in dryer performance. If you have pets or a large family, this could be necessary as often as twice a year.

What to check

Dryer ducts

Plastic dryer ducts are a fire hazard. Replace them with straight or flexible metal ducts.

Dryer manual

This should tell you the space a dryer needs for proper airflow. Keep your dryer cool by keeping the area around it clutter free.

Dryer vent

Check the vent’s exterior output for blockages, such as leaves or bird nests.

Washing machine base

Make sure to place the machine in a pan connected to a drain to collect leaks before they cause major damage. This is especially important if your washer is located on an upper floor in your home.

Hoses

Replace washing machine supply lines every 3 to 5 years as part of a proactive maintenance plan.

What to store

Detergents

Store detergents, bleach and fabric softeners out of reach of children and pets. Also talk to your kids about what’s safe to touch and what’s not.

Fire extinguisher

Thousands of fires start in laundry rooms each year; therefore, it’s smart to keep an extinguisher close.

Important numbers

Keep your local poison centre’s number posted in the laundry room in case of an emergency.