Fatal Fire Stresses the Importance of Dryer Safety
By: Chris Veech
Updated: January 4, 2013
Officials say the fire started near the home's dryer. While it's uncertain if the dryer actually caused the fire, the incident serves as a reminder for safety practices when using dryers in your home. Officals say dryers should never be left running while unattended. When you leave home, or go to bed, make sure the dryer is turned off. Also, change the lint screen regularly.
"Lint is very likely to catch on fire," said Evansville Fire Department Chief Dan Grimm, "when exposed to a heat source that's not in a controlled environment, and that's why it's very important to clean your lint screen. That's actually what they call it every time that you're done doing a load of laundry."
Eyewitness News is told the stairs caught on fire, making it impossible for some of the victims to escape the blaze. The family's dryer was located underneath the stairs.
