ANN ARBOR, MI--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 7, 2008 -- Fire prevention week is October 5-11 and DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals is urging consumers to help protect their families and homes from the danger of fire by properly maintaining their dryer vents. The U.S. Fire Administration's Topical Fire Research Studies report states that over 15,000 home fires occur annually and an estimated $99 million are lost annually to clothes dryer-related fires.

DUCTZ, a duct cleaning and ventilation restoration organization with franchises nationwide, specializes in dryer vent cleaning and maintenance. DUCTZ offers consumers crucial tips to reduce the risk of dryer vent-related fires.

 
--  Clean the lint filter on your dryer after every cycle.  Dryer lint is
    recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration as a very flammable substance,
    and failure to remove lint from the filter after every cycle can increase
    the risk of fire.
--  When you leave your home, turn your dryer off.  Just like an
    unattended stove, if an unattended dryer catches fire with no one home to
    call authorities, damage to your home could be far greater.
--  Dryer vents should be constructed from rigid metal material.  Dryer
    vents made of flexible accordion-style material can trap lint in bends and
    curves and increase the risk of fire.  Additionally, plastic vents can be a
    source of fuel for fire.  If your dryer vent is not made of rigid metal
    material, call a professional like DUCTZ to give an assessment on updating
    your equipment.
--  Have your dryer vents inspected annually by a professional like DUCTZ.
    Lint filters do not catch all lint produced from a drying cycle -- much of
    the lint passes through the filter into the dryer vent and can clog the
    vent. When the scorching hot air of a dryer is trapped by flammable lint in
    the dryer vent, the risk of fire is severely increased.  Annual inspection
    of dryer vents is key to maintaining the proper airflow necessary to
    prevent fires.
--  Have your vents inspected for debris.  The airflow in your dryer vent
    could be obstructed by flammable material if you notice that your clothes
    are not drying as quickly, or if you can see debris when looking through
    your dryer vent from the outside.

Source: DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals

"Helping keep families across the country safe from the threat of dryer vent fire is a crucial part of our service," said John Rotche, President of DUCTZ. "The theme of this year's Fire Prevention week is Preventing Home Fire, and that is what DUCTZ aims to do at every opportunity."

About DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals:

DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals, owned by Belfor Holdings Inc., is the country's largest network of duct cleaning and HVAC restoration businesses and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DUCTZ has enjoyed tremendous business growth since its establishment in 2004 and now includes over 100 franchise locations nationwide. DUCTZ is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and strictly adheres to their stringent guidelines for superior service. Ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one duct-cleaning franchise in 2008, the expertise of DUCTZ reaches beyond cleaning air ducts to providing for energy efficient HVAC systems and improving overall indoor air quality. For more information or to schedule DUCTZ service, please call 877.DUCTZ.USA (877.382.8987) or visit www.ductz.com.

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