Oak Forest, IL

Thankfully, no one was injured and damages were minimal due to the homeowner recently installing additional smoke detectors

Chicago, IL -- A recent dryer fire, reported in Oak Forest, Ill, located about 24 miles southwest of Downtown Chicago, could have easily been prevented with proper dryer vent maintenance. As the woman looked at the charred remains of her home, she was thankful for one thing; she had taken the precaution to have additional smoke detectors installed in her home. She did this a few months before, when a neighbor was killed in a tragic house fire.

The woman was home alone, doing laundry, when she heard the smoke alarm in the basement. She went to check it out, didn't see flames, but the room was full of smoke. She quickly called 911 as she got her dogs out of the home.

Within minutes, Oak Forest firefighters battled thick smoke and put out the fire. The smoke was so thick they had to break out a window to let it out so they could see. This occurred within minutes.

The fire destroyed the dryer, damaged the washer, and did additional damage to the laundry room; all will be taken care of by her homeowner's insurance.

The fire fighters told the woman that she was smart to install the additional smoke detectors; without them, she would not have been aware of the fire soon enough to avoid further damage and the possibility of losing her home. Credit is also owed to the quick response of the fire fighters.

When Mory Matias, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, heard the news, he was naturally upset. In a recent interview, Mory said, "Though I'm glad no one was hurt and damages were minimal, this tragedy could have been prevented altogether with proper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance. Yes, smoke detectors are very important, but so is proper appliance maintenance, and fire safety and prevention awareness in all areas of the home."

According to Mory Matias, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Northshore Chicago, most consumers are unaware that annual dryer and dryer vent maintenance is required to keep the dryer running properly and to prevent dryer fires. Additionally, proper maintenance saves on energy and other associated costs. Learn more at http://dryerventcleaningchicago.blogspot.com/

Contact:

Dryer Vent Wizard of Northshore Chicago

Mory Matias

Phone: 773-484-3509

Email: mmatias@dryerventwizard.com

Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com

The EPA has designated January as "Radon Action Month". This of course is to help raise awarenss of the effrects of Radon. For more information from the EPA click here http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/.

Radon is a Radioactive Gas
Radon-222 is the decay product of radium-226. Radon-222 and its parent, radium-226, are part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Since uranium is essentially ubiquitous in the earth's crust, radium-226 and radon-222 are present in almost all rock and all soil and water. Radon is a radioactive element that is part of the radioactive decay chain of naturally occurring uranium in soil. You can't see radon. You can't smell radon and you can't taste radon. Unlike carbon monoxide and many other home pollutants, radon's adverse health effect, lung cancer, is usually not produced immediately. Thus you may be exposed to radon for many years without ever suspecting its presence in your home. The USEPA action level for radon is 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The risk of developing lung cancer at 4.0 pCi/L is estimated at about 7 lung cancer deaths per 1000 persons. That is why USEPA and IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) recommends reducing your radon level if the concentration is 4.0 pCi/L or more. Lung cancer in humans arising from radon exposure is recognized by the following health and environmental organizations:

• American Medical Association
• U.S. Surgeon General
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Public Health Service
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Center for Disease Control
• National Academy of Science
• National Cancer Institute
• World Health Organization

You Should Test for Radon
While scientists can estimate the approximate lung cancer deaths per 1000 people, no single individual's risk can be estimated. Testing is relatively inexpensive, easy and is the only way to know whether you are at risk.

If you are involved in a real estate transaction in Illinois, read the IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Agency) Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions. Radon testing in real estate transactions, which involve multiple parties and financial interests, is unique, and specific testing protocols are required.

Controlling Radon Exposure
Radon reduction techniques are used to stop radon entry and reduce indoor radon concentrations. Hiring a licensed Radon Mitigation Professional is the best way to reduce your indoor radon concentrations.

There are some older brass gas connectors (lines) that can cause injury or death. The connectors have not been made for at least 20 years, but some are still in use. The way the tubing was joined to the end pieces has a flaw that may cause gas leaks, fires, or explosions. You will recognize the the flawed brass connector because it is all brass in color (tubing and end pieces). If you are not sure if you have the connector in question, replace it anyway. They should be replaced IMMEDIATELY with a new plastic coated brass or stainless steel connector.

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