Waco, Texas (PRWEB) March 26, 2014

Each year over 15,000 home fires, resulting in nearly $201 million in damages, are caused by dirty dryer vents. According to recent studies, nearly 92 percent of all laundry room fires can be traced back to a failure in cleaning either the dryer appliance or its ventilation system.

Dryer vent fires are usually caused by an electrical short sparking and igniting lint buildup inside of your dryer, stated Mr. Appliance President, Doug Rogers. This fire then spreads into the vent tubing going through the homes walls or under the home. By removing this lint build-up, it eliminates the flammable material that would ignite in the event of a short circuit.

Mr. Appliance offers these four tips for keeping dryer vents clean and clear of fire hazards:

1.Everyone already knows to clean out the lint trap between each load. However, it is also imperative to clean the lint trap itself, using soapy water and a cloth, as well as wiping along the edges of the trap.

2.Remove the lint trap and clean the inside of the machine for the lint that got through the lint filter. Use a damp cloth to wipe around inside of the dryer and grab all of the escapee lint pieces.

3.Unplug the dryer and pull it away from the wall. Remove the vent tubing attaching the dryer to the wall and clean each end of the dryer vent tubing. Be sure to pay attention to the ends, as this is where most of the lint will build up.

4.Clean the dryer vent leading outside of the home annually. This service requires specialized equipment and professional services and removes the threat of lint build-up inside the walls of the home. Call your local Mr. Appliance to schedule an annual appointment.

As a final thought, Rogers commented that the more people who know about the dangers of dirty dryer vents, the more impact we can have on stopping this rampant problem and save homes, and lives, from these fires.

About Mr. Appliance: Mr. Appliance is North Americas leading appliance repair franchise system. Established in 1996, its franchises provide full-service residential and light commercial appliance repair. Mr. Appliance has more than 150 locations throughout the United States and Canada and is consistently ranked among the top home service franchises by Entrepreneur magazine and other industry experts. Mr. Appliance is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information, visit MrAppliance.com.

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The Roof is On Fire: Dryer Vents Leading Cause of Home Fires

Phoenix the cat was found in a garage of a townhouse across the street from the $50m complex which burned to the ground Tuesday.

Phoenix the cat was found in a garage of a townhouse across the street from the $50m complex which burned to the ground Tuesday.

Photo By Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle

Houston firefighters continued to douse hot spots Wednesday morning, the day after a five-alarm inferno consumed an apartment complex under construction near downtown.

Photo By Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

From the Magnolia Cemetery of Houston firefighters battled a large 5-alarm blaze Tuesday afternoon at an apartment building under construction on West Dallas near Montrose Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Houston. Flames engulfed the apartment complex as 200 firefighters in 80 units fought to gain an upper hand on the blaze. The five-story, 368-unit building was destroyed. No injuries were reported.

Photo By Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle

Firefighters battled a large 5-alarm blaze Tuesday afternoon at an apartment building under construction on West Dallas near Montrose Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Houston. Flames engulfed the apartment complex as 200 firefighters in 80 units fought to gain an upper hand on the blaze. The five-story, 368-unit building was destroyed. No injuries were reported.

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Final rescue from Montrose apartment fire is badly burned and purring cat

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On Tuesday, Curtis Reissig found himself trapped on the fifth-floor balcony of a burning apartment building. "The flames were getting closer and hotter," he told the Associated Press. "I knew I had to do something."

Ressig leapt to the balcony below, where firefighters rescued him just seconds before part of the building collapsed.

"In my mind I was ... going through all the scenarios. What can I do? How am I going to drop? How am I going to swing? And I wanted another swing. But I knew I didn't have time because it was so hot. I took one swing," Reissig said.

When fire broke out, Ressig was eating lunch outside the still-under-construction apartment complex. He ran to the building's roof with a fire extinguisher, but he fire quickly spread, forcing Ressig to the building's fifth floor.

"At that point I saw a lot of smoke. ... It started burning my eyes, my throat. I couldn't breathe," he said, adding that he thought he was going to die. Then he spotted a door to one of the building's balconies.

"I thought, 'Ah, fresh air.' And then I look up and I see to my right all the flames on the building were that close. It was just amazing it had gone up that fast," he said.

Karen Jones, an office worker at a neighboring building, captured Ressig's rescue on her cell phone.

"We were terrified for him," she said. "It was totally surreal ... like watching a suspense thriller on television."

Fire Capt. Brad Hawthorne, the firefighter on the ladder, said Ressig's decision to "Spiderman it down one landing" saved him from injury, or worse.

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Construction Worker Describes Escape From Burning Houston Apartment

Termites are active across Texas, but according to the U.S. Forest Service, East Texas is considered a high to moderate Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Zone, an area of high risk for termite infestation and destruction. With swarming typically beginning in the spring, BBB is reminding property owners to take proactive measures to prevent costly home repairs which could include damage to non-structural components as well as damage to a structural timbers and posts of a home or building.

A single termite doesnt look dangerous or menacing, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas, A whole colony, however, can inflict serious structural damage on a home in a fairly short period of time.

Termites are known as silent destroyers because of their ability to chew undetected through wood, flooring and even wallpaper. They can build nests inside walls and can cause damage for years before it becomes noticeable. As the ground warms, termite populations emerge in search of mates and new structures to invade. If an infestation goes untreated, a home can suffer significant damage.

Each year, termites cause about $5 billion in property damage, according to the National Pest Management Association, a BBB National Partner.

Better Business Bureau offers these tips from NPMA for preventing termites from wreaking havoc on your home. Here are four ways to avoid a termite infestation:

Repair and replace when necessary. Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and AC units on the outside of the home. Repair fascia, soffits and rotted roof shingles. Replace weather stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows.

Keep it clear. Make sure the foundation is exposed around the entire home.Store firewood at least twenty feet away from the house and elevate it at least five inches off the ground. Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation and keep levels several inches below the siding and wooden parts of the structure. Keep dead trees, stumps, and roots away from the home. Divert rain water, sprinklers, and irrigation water away from the foundation.

Inspect, inspect, inspect. Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of mud tubes (used by termites to reach a food source), cracked or bubbling paint and wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Monitor all exterior areas of wood, including windows, doorframes and skirting boards for any noticeable changes.

Protect your investment.Not sure if you have termites? Consider a termite inspection from a qualified pest management company. Although NPMA recommends a termite inspection every 1-3 years, only half of homeowners they surveyed indicated they never had their homes inspected.

Keep in mind, techniques and materials used to control an infestation will vary based on the type of termite, the type of home, and the extent of infestation, so its a good idea to find a qualified professional to help with prevention.

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Prevention Key in Avoiding Termite Infestation

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Youtube Rewind: Backyard Patios, Walls, Fire Pits - What Does 2013 Say?
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Markham Economist & Sun

Markham is taking steps to regulate the size and shape of patios encroaching on public boulevards.

Under a bylaw passed this week, patios taking up part of the public boulevard will require a permit.

Other criteria include setback from fire hydrants, curbs and sidewalks and being enclosed by a fence that can be removed and stored off-site when patio season is over.

The patios will be allowed to open April 1 to Oct. 31, weather permitting and can be open 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. But they must follow the Liquor Licence Act, which doesnt allow the sale of alcohol before 11 a.m.

Establishments must still abide by the citys noise bylaw, which does not permit loud noise or outdoor music past 11 p.m.

Councillors spent some time debating whether or not boulevard patios should close at 11 p.m.

Logistically, that wont work, said Paul Cicchini, owner of the Duchess of Markham.

Thats like closing off a section of a park and telling kids they cant use the swings after 11 p.m., only the slide, he said at development services committee meeting.

He pointed out that, as it is, provincial liquor laws require bars and pubs to follow all municipal bylaws. An infraction such as a noise bylaw violation could result in the loss of the establishments liquor licence.

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Markham moves to regulate patios on public boulevards