Clothes Dryer Safety

In 2006-2010, there were 16,950 home structure fires per year reported to U.S. fire departments where clothes dryers or washing machines were the equipment involved in ignition, with associated annual losses of 34 civilian deaths, 430 civilian injuries, and $209 million in direct property damage. Dryers alone accounted for 92% of these fires and 87% of the reported deaths.

The leading factor contributing to ignition was a failure to clean the clothes dryer. The risk of fire is roughly equal for gas-fueled clothes dryers and electric-powered clothes dryers.

Research Fact Sheet: Home Fires Involving Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines

Tip Sheet: Dryer Safety

Follow these simple steps to help prevent a clothes dryer fire:

Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.

Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.

Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.

Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.

Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.

Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.

Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.

Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.

Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.

NFPA Safety Tips: Clothes Dryer Safety