One Simple Dryer Mistake Kills 10 Americans Every Year, Officials Warn

One simple dryer mistake is linked to roughly 15,900 home fires a year and at least 10 American deaths — and experts say it is completely preventable.

The one mistake behind thousands of fires

Fire investigators and safety agencies keep coming back to the same problem: people do not clean their dryer vents.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data show that clothes dryers and washing machines are involved in about 15,970 home fires per year, with dryers responsible for roughly 92% of those blazes.NFPA

The leading factor that starts these fires is not a rare mechanical failure. It is simple neglect. NFPA research finds that about one third of dryer fires are caused by failure to clean, often when lint builds up in the vent system.NFPA

How bad is the problem?

Different agencies count slightly different sets of fires, but they point in the same direction:

• NFPA estimates that dryer and washer fires cause around 15,970 home fires a year, resulting in about 13 civilian deaths, more than 400 injuries, and roughly $200 million in property damage.NFPA
• A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission analysis cited by the National Park Service puts the number at about 15,500 dryer fires annually, with around 10 deaths, 310 injuries, and over $84 million in damage.National Park Service
• A dedicated NFPA report focusing on dryers alone found an average of 7 deaths, 344 injuries, and $233 million in direct property damage each year.NFPA

On average, that’s about 10 people who tragically die in dryer-related fires every year in the USA. The true number may be higher.

However you slice the numbers, experts agree: dryer fires are not rare, and they are almost always preventable.

Why lint is so dangerous

Lint might look harmless, but it is basically condensed fuel.

NFPA data show that dust, fiber, and lint are among the top materials first ignited in dryer fires.NFPA Lint collects not only on the visible filter, but also inside the machine and especially in the vent duct that runs to the outside of the home.

Here is why that is such a problem:

• Dryers operate at high temperatures, especially electric models, which NFPA data suggest are more than 2.5 times as likely as gas dryers to be involved in a fire.Envista Forensics
• When lint clogs the vent, hot air cannot escape properly, which makes the dryer run hotter and longer.
• If lint is packed tightly around the heating element or inside the vent, it can get hot enough to ignite.

A 2023 article from UL, a global safety organization, notes that the majority of dryer fires happen when highly combustible lint gets trapped in the vent and overheats.UL Solutions

The part people forget to clean

Most people swipe the lint filter on the front of the machine. That helps, but experts say it is not enough.

The biggest missed step is cleaning the vent system — the duct that carries hot, moist air from your dryer to the outside of your home.

Over time, lint builds up along the inside of this duct, especially if:

• The vent run is long or has a lot of bends
• The duct is made from flexible, accordion style plastic or foil instead of smooth metal
• The outside hood flap sticks or stays closed, trapping moist air and lint

Good Housekeeping, citing NFPA data, recently warned that nearly 15,000 residential dryer fires happen each year and stressed that vent cleaning is the most important maintenance job many homeowners skip.Good Housekeeping

Warning signs your vent may be clogged

Fire officials and appliance experts say you should treat these as red flags:

• Clothes take longer than one cycle to dry
• The dryer or laundry room feels unusually hot to the touch
• You notice a burning or musty smell while the dryer runs
• The outside vent flap does not fully open when the dryer is on, or you feel weak airflow
• There is visible lint buildup around the vent hood outside

If any of these sound familiar, experts recommend stopping use and cleaning or servicing the vent before running more loads.

How often should you clean a dryer vent?

Recommendations vary a bit, but many safety agencies and home service pros suggest:

• Clean the lint screen before or after every load.Belgium Cold Springs Fire Department
• Check and vacuum behind and under the dryer at least once or twice a year.
• Have the vent professionally cleaned about once a year, or more often if you do a lot of laundry, have long vent runs, or notice any warning signs.

Several sources say professional vent cleaning typically costs around $100 to $150, which is far less than even a minor fire or smoke damage claim.Good Housekeeping

A version of this article originally appeared in Newsbreak. Follow us there for more.