Winter is still not quite over, which means warm blankets, flannel sheets and bulky sweaters are still in full use in many parts of the country, including in the Vancouver/Portland area. That also means you’ll be putting your washer and dryer to use even more than usual. However, with all that extra washing and drying there’s a little known risk that comes with it.

All those warm, heavy clothes and blankets put an extra strain on your dryer vent, which means the risk of a dryer vent fire is much greater during this time of year. In fact, even if you take the time to regularly clean your lint trap, it may not be enough. That’s why setting up an appointment for a dryer vent cleaning by an experienced professional is so important.

When lint builds up over time in your dryer vent it can eventually ignite a fire, which could end up destroying your entire home. However, you can avoid this kind of tragedy simply by getting your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year. And with all those extra sweaters and blankets in your laundry, right now might be the best time to get those vents checked.