Clothes Dryer

Yes, you have some good advice. Leave it off if you aren't there. Want more advice from Bird??? On top of keeping a clean lint screen, be sure the vent pipe coming off your dryer going to the outside is METAL. What do you think happens to those plastic vents when there is a lint fire?? It isn't pretty. A good metal vent will hold up much much better. Might even save your house if something happens when you are there. Always make sure the dryer is vented to the OUTSIDE. Have you ever heard of an explosion at places that make flour??? Just like flour dust can explode, lint is just as flamable. Keep everything clean. Never allow lint so stack up anywhere. OK, maybe I'll use that clothesline outside. There is nothing greener and those clothes smell so much better drying outside in the fresh air.

I would never leave it running when I leave the house. I would wait till its done to leave or stop it and continue when I get home. I have heard of people who have lost everything due to this type of fire. I live in Puerto Rico in a concrete home and we have the washer and dryer outside and I still don't leave the dryer on when I have to go out.

No, I don't. I've heard it wasn't safe as well, so I avoid doing so. If the dryer happens to be running and I have to go somewhere I make sure to turn it off first. I do the same thing at work. I never leave it running unattended if no one is there. Happy mylotting!

I never leave the clothes dryer on because its like a fire in there when it gets hot and just dries your clothes for you as well. You have to sometimes watch it and if you smell something not normal then its time to get it check out or clean the lint out from it. At my house sometimes we will hang out jeans and clothes outside because it will first get them to dry but feel hard of course then we will put them in the dryer for about 20 to 30 minutes to get them fluffed and not hard anymore and that helps out as well with the electric bill and even using the dryer that much as well.

I will not leave the house while the dryer is running because I learned from my cousin that is a firefighter that it is one of the biggest fire hazards in the home. However, I will almost always start the dryer at night during the winter when I am going to bed. The reason for that is that the laundry room is adjacent to our bedroom and not having a heating vent in the bedroom, the heat from the dryer will help to keep our room warm.

I dont have a dryer. We use sunlight, which is abundant here. :) But washing machine almost gives me dry clothes. :)

No, I always turn it off even if it's only half-way through the cycle. You just never know what could happen when you're there. I'm one who needs to control every situation.

Years ago a couple at our church lost their home because a fire started when they left their dryer on while they were gone. After that my parents were always careful to not leave it on. And growing up like that, we took that with us when my sister and I moved. We don't do it either.

Yes. I have left mine running before but I really would not have if I could have ran it while I was home with it. I do think about fires too though so I try not to ever do it anymore.

it is easy for the dryer to over heat.i have heard of fires hapenning like that to. i typically start the washer before i leave, then put the stuff in the dryer when i get home.

for many years I have not wanted a dryer in my house because they are such a fire risk. we were recently given one by someone who has bought a washing machine/tumble dryer to replace their washing machine, and I couldn't really say no to it, as we really struggle to get clothes dry in winter. but I empty the filter before and after every use and would never leave it running unnatended.

I would put my washing machine on and then go out. I would not do the same with my condenser dryer. It drys clothes and then I empty the water from its holder. It gets very hot and if it went on fire it would be essential that I am home. If I rang nine nine nine I could ask for a fire engine to come around. I clean the lint out every time before I put the machine on. I know chip fryers not attended can cause a fire very easily. My sister's mother-in-law lit a candle, then fell asleep. The candle made her curtain catch fire. Her apartment caught on fire. Her apartment got badly burnt. She lived in a hotel then moved into a first floor apartment with a sea view. I have pretty candle stick but don't don't burn candles that could set alight. I have used my washing machine this morning. Next I will be putting my condenser dryer on to dry the items of clothing.

I am so bad. I leave mine on once I have started it....and I understand the possibilities! And I know I shouldn't do it! But my dryer is down the basement and I hate doing all those steps!

I agree with you Thru my experience It happen to me when my drier over heat and smoke came if fortunately i arrived early. i was shocked but thanks God nothing happen.Now i got the lesson in my life. Never leave the drier on when you are out of the house. It is better to be sure than regret later.

I don't think personally I have ever started drying clothes except for when I am at home due to I want to be there to be able to remove the clothes when they are thru drying in order to keep all the wrinkles out. I have heard this as well, and have heard this is one of the main important reasons to clean out the lint trap every load especially in the older dryers.

I totally agree and do the same as you. I wouldn't leave the dryer running any more than I'd leave the front door open when I left the house for any length of time. I've never had an incident with a dryer fire nor have I known anyone personally who has had this happen but I feel it's too much of a risk to even leave the dryer running once while I was gone. I gave that a lot of thought after hearing of a chimney fire my cousin had when the built-up creosote caught fire. She's been much better about having her chimney cleaned since then and it left a lasting impression on how easily we could lose our home if we didn't use common sense, especially after hearing so much about dryer fires. I try to remember to clean my vent on a regular basis but sometimes forget so I don't even start the dryer before I go to bed or take a nap. I have smoke alarms but, still, I want to stay alert, just in case. Dryer vent fires are too common.