What’s Hiding in Your Home?

Even if your house looks spick and span, there are at least three places where smelly or dangerous dirt and debris can hide in your home. That’s your chimney, your dryer vent system, and your air ducts.

Buildup in your chimney and your dryer vent system can lead to life-threatening fires. Creosote in your fireplace is highly flammable and can create deadly chimney fires. A clogged dryer vent will reduce the efficiency and the lifespan of your dryer and increase your utility bills.

Dirt, dust, and dander, including mold particles and pet hair, can accumulate in your home’s air ducts and recirculate in your clean house up to five times a day. That can cause problems for the very young and the elderly, as well as others whose breathing is compromised by allergies, asthma or smoking.

Check out the American Lung Association’s list of other hidden dangers that could lurk in dark corners and vents of your home:

• Asbestos
• Bacteria & Viruses
• Carbon Monoxide
• Cockroaches
• Dust mites
• Formaldehyde
• Mold
• Pet dander
• Secondhand smoke