The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Fire Data Center estimate that household dryers cause nearly 16,000 dryer related fires every year. Homeowners can prevent about 70% of these fires by watching for warning signs and conducting simple maintenance on their machines. The single greatest cause of dryer fires is lint build up; lint makes excellent fuel for fire. Experts cite failure to clean as the number one cause of fires in clothing dryers.

Warning signs your dryer vent is obstructed:

• Your laundry takes longer than one cycle to dry
• Your dryer feels hot on the exterior while drying
• The laundry feels hotter than normal
• You find less lint than normal on the dryer’s lint screen
• You find excess lint on and around the back of the dryer
• The clothing feels damp or smells musty after drying
• The outdoors flap on the exit vent not moving
• If you have a gas dryer and you smell the gas

Preventing a fire:

• Clean the lint filter after EVERY load
• Have your dryer vent professionally cleaned annually at a minimum
• Do not run your dryer while you are asleep or away from your home
• Do not run your dryer without a lint screen or if it’s ripped or torn
• Avoid drying materials such as rubber, plastic, or foam
• Do not dry rags or towels used to clean up chemicals, gasoline, or oil
• Keep the area around the dryer free of combustible items
• Conduct periodic inspections and cleaning of the connection tube
• If you have a gas dryer, have it checked yearly for gas leaks