Home Fires Caused By Dryers

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

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according to the National Fire Protection Association, clothes dryer fires occur more often than expected. According to the U.S. fire administration, “2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.”

Common Causes of Dryer Fires

• Lint/dust: counting for 29% incidents
• Clothing: counting for 28% incidents

Common Causes of Washer Fires

• Wire/cable insulation: counting for 26% of incidents 
• Appliance housing: counting for 21% of incidents 
• Drive belt: counting for 15% of incidents

Dryers were the cause of 92% of the Washer/Dryer fires; with the risk of fire essentially being the same for both gas and electric-powered dryers.

Safety Tips:

• Clean the lint panel regularly and never run the dryer without it.
• Make sure there are no leaks in the lines for gas and propane dryers.
• Make sure the dryer is vented to the outside of the house and that nothing is blocking the vent shaft.
• Clean the vent pipe as well as the place where the panel is held.
• Keep combustible materials out of the region around the dryer.

Fire Damage Repair and Restoration

We realize that your home is more than four walls and a roof. Your home and belongings are extremely valuable to you, and SERVPRO will help minimize the damage to your home and contents with our quick response after a fire.

Learn More about our fire damage restoration process>

For more information about clothes dryer fire safety visit usfa.fema.gov