When was the last time you checked your dryer vent?

Did you know in 2010, 51 Americans were killed and another 380 injured in home structure fires involving dryers?

Perry Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Hinds says often times we think it could never happen to us, but that’s when things go wrong.

“That little dryer vent that sticks to the outside there is kind of an inviting or tempting thing for little critters to get into.  Based on information we have from the National Fire Protection Agency, lack of maintenance is a contributing factor to clothes dryer fires and reduced airflow, resulting from lint build up and things like that in your dryer.”

Hinds says it’s common for rodents to nest in small, warm places like dryer tubes.  He encourages everyone to inspect and clean them regularly.

We’ll hear more tips from Chief Hinds on today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program.