Lint build up and heat can be a recipe for disaster in your dryer and dryer vents. It is important to have a smooth bore, metal dryer vent. Clean your dryer vents regularly to insure unrestricted air flow. Replace any plastic or metal corrugated venting with
solid metal, smooth bore venting, flexible venting can be easily crushed, and will impede air flow due to it’s corrugated design, resulting in increased lint build up.

Laptops can get pretty hot if they their airflow is starved. Leaving a laptop in the bed, couch, blankets can restrict airflow in and out of the cooling vents. If blocked long enough, internal components can heat up enough to ignite and start a fire. Always make
sure your laptop is stored on a hard desk or table surface or a laptop stand Stacking those old newspapers in the corner to recycle can be more of a fire hazard than you think.

Storing newspapers too close to a heat source could result in them catching on fire. If
you’re going to keep newspapers in your house, keep the stacks short and store them in a cool, dry place.

Heating pads and electric blankets might not be a very big concern, but if misused they can be extremely hazardous. Both of these items have the potential to build up excessive heat, resulting in a fire. It is recommended that test devices be used on their lowest setting and nut used for more that the recommended times.

An old appliance may appear fine, but could also be a disaster waiting to happen. Older appliance can have worn or deteriorated wiring and insulation that could start a fire. Check all of your appliances regularly. Check electrical cords and connections to make sure they are in good condition and function properly

How often have you taken your charcoal bag and just put it in a cabinet or storage closet after barbecuing? If the coal is damp, it could self ignite itself and start a serious fire. To help prevent fire, place the charcoal in a metal pail or garbage can and secure it
tightly with a lid. Store the container in a cool, dry place that has enough space to let heat escape should the coals self-ignite.

Make sure that you hang oil or solvent soaked rags outside so that they can properly dry after you work on your car, lawnmowers, etc. Oily rags that are piled up can ignite themselves and cause a serious fire. I lay used rags on top of the trash bag on collection dayand never allow too many to accumulate.

Do you collect match books and throw them in a drawer? There’s a pretty good chance we have all done this. Matches can easily ignite if they rub against a rough surface, and lighters canaccidentally ignite if the wheel moves in just the right way. If you keep
matches and lighters in your house, make sure they are out of a child’s reach and they are stored in a safe, dry place away from anything that might accidentally ignite them.

Stacking and storing clothes to the top of the closet might not seem like a big deal. However, if your wool sweater or cotton T-shirt touches an exposed light bulb, it could lead to a fire. 12% of all house fires start in a closet because homeowners ignore the
closet light fixtures and stack combustible materials close to the glowing, hot bulb. Prevent a disaster from happening inside your closet by replacing an exposed bulb with a properly enclosed light fixtures and keeping your belongings far away from the light bulb.

Dust bunnies are also a potential for danger to your safety. Dust can be a fire hazard if it
collects near floor heaters, electronics, computers and sockets. A simple spark can ignite dust piles and cause a fire. Regularly dusting and vacuuming can significantly reduce the amount of dust that lingers near your electrical outlets and appliances. Pay special attention to the back of entertainment centers and any crevices that might collect dust.

Damaged Electrical Service Mast

The electrical service drop is the point where the electrical service wiring enters the home.  At this home inspection there was a rather lengthy span between the electrical pole and the service mast.  About half way, a support mast was added to maintain adequate distance between the service wire and the roof peak.  

This electrical service mast was installed at the peak over a vaulted ceiling which allows for minimal support within the truss structure of the roof.  The long span of the service wire has resulted in bending of the support mast as well as deformation of the roof decking. 

I recommended that this issue be resolved by a qualified electrician.  If this support mast was to bend completely of break loose of the truss supports it could result in damage to the service wiring, service mast as well as the roof/truss structure.  Worst case the service wire breaks exposing the home and inhabitants to electrical hazards.