Dryer fires are rare per household and common nationally. They are also one of the most preventable fires in the home. Here is what the numbers say and what actually prevents them.
The numbers
- The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings each year.
- They cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss annually.
- Failure to clean is the leading factor, cited in about 34% of fires.
- Dust, fiber and lint are the leading item first ignited, at roughly 28%.
- Fires peak in fall and winter, with January the highest month.
How a dryer fire starts
A dryer's heating element or gas burner runs at several hundred degrees. Normally airflow carries that heat and the lint out of the house. When the vent is restricted, heat builds inside the cabinet and lint accumulates around the element. Eventually the lint ignites. The fire then has a fuse to follow: the lint-lined duct leads straight into the wall, attic or roof.
Five habits that prevent nearly all dryer fires
- Clean the lint screen every load. It catches most, not all, lint. Wash it monthly to remove the invisible softener film.
- Have the full vent cleaned annually. Every 6 months for roof vents and heavy use.
- Replace flex duct. White vinyl and thin foil accordion duct trap lint and burn. Code requires rigid or semi-rigid metal.
- Don't run the dryer while asleep or away. Most dryer fires start while the dryer is running.
- Watch for warning signs. Long dry times, a hot cabinet and a burning smell mean stop and clean.
Gas dryers: one more risk
Gas dryers exhaust combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, through the same duct as the lint. A blocked vent can back CO into your home. Put a CO detector near the laundry room and treat long dry times as urgent.
The cheapest insurance is a clean vent. Book a cleaning or read about what's included.