I had to learn the hard way....This may save your home (and pets!)

[jennielynn1970]

I had no idea there was a safety switch. I'll have to go find mine, and I guess find a manual, lol. I just got the washer and dryer last year, so I'm guessing the washer will have a safety switch??

[MoonandBean]

I'm not sure if they come standard with the newer washing machines or if you have to have it installed by a plumber. This is the exact one we have:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DN

We had it installed when we finished the basement. Of course, I have to remember to flip it to off when I finish doing laundry.

[sasvermont]

I went directly to my washer and turned the valve to the off position.

I have that same false sense of security when it comes to things like this....

And to add to this: I had Sears come out to service my washer. Part of the service agreement is to do preventive maintenance. They removed the front of the washer, below (called the kick plate), and cleaned a screen.... and found coins, nails rusting, splinters, broken earings..... and then.... THEY WENT TO THE DRYER. I have always cleaned the lint trap and the vent. They dropped the front of the dryer (below, called the kick plate too) and it was filled with lint too! Who knew? They said it was just a matter of time until a fire started as the lint and dust was near the heating element. I have since read that if the lint trap is not in the front of the dryer, you should remove the back of the dryer to clean the guts of the dryer and if the lint trap is in the front, then the front of the dryer should come off. I assume they mean the kick plate on the front. Then you remove the lint trap to get behind it.

SO FOLKS, DON'T TAKE YOUR LAUNDRY FACILITY FOR GRANTED. BOTH PIECES OF EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE VENTS AND SHUT OFF VALVES AND HOSES, ALL NEED TO BE CHECKED AND MAINTAINED.

Thanks again for letting us know about this. I have always heard about the hoses failing, but never knew anyone to have it happen.... Now I do..... And I will always turn off the incoming water when not in use.... Thank you, thank you.

SAS and her pets

[MoonandBean]

Thank you too. Now, I'm off to clean the dryer

[Taz_Zoee]

I have never heard of the safety switch either. Our laundry area is in the garage, down two steps from the house. So flooding wouldn't affect the house. BUT having the things maintained and cleaned out to prevent a fire....now that's something I must look into. Although, we never leave the dryer running if we are not home. But still, I will look into anyway.

Thank you for the lesson, and I'm glad everyone is okay!

[Freedom]

Dear Sunny, for a young gal, you sure do lead an interesting life! I am so glad that you are fine and that Moon and Bean are ok too. Mom, now, she must have a afew extra gray hairs in there somewhere.

I will be sure to investigate about this switch.

I know we bought a brush and cleaned all the dryer vent about 4 years back. Not sure if the front of the dryer was taken off or not (Dad was already into the job when I arrived to help) Great stuff, thanks to all.

[krazyaboutkatz]

How scary. I'm glad that everyone is fine and that the mess was easy to clean up. I live in a condo and we have 4 large buildings in the complex. Each building has it's own laundry room so I don't have to worry about washer and dryer maintenance. Hopefully the company does it though. The dryers have the lint traps in front and I always make sure to clean them out after I've used them. Many people don't even bother.

[cyber-sibes]

Whew, how scarey! Glad you are all okay! I'd never heard of hoses coming off before, but I will check mine now. We have friends that lost their whole house when a fire started in the dryer - fortunately they were out, so no one got injured. I'd very careful to keep the lint vent clean, I even clean the outside vent where the air blows out of the house. You'd be amazed how much lint builds up in there! Guess I better go clean the bottom part, too. Good tips, thanks everyone.