How to Prevent a Dryer Fire at Home - Consumer Reports

Four simple tips to minimize risks

It’s easy to think of your clothes dryer as a set-it-and-forget-it type of appliance. But before you start your next load tumbling and walk away, consider this: When was the last time you cleaned out your dryer duct?

Every year, firefighters across the country respond to around 13,820 home fires caused by clothes dryers, according to the latest figures from the National Fire Protection Association. About 27 percent of these fires are caused by an accumulation of lint, which can constrict the ductwork that expels hot air outside.

Signs that your dryer is malfunctioning include clothes taking longer to dry, clothes being very hot after drying, or the machine unexpectedly shutting down, says Richard Handel, the engineer who oversees CR’s laundry appliance testing.

Some dryers, including many in our ratings, have indicators to alert you when there’s a duct blockage. Past testing on these devices, however, revealed that while some are good at detecting completely blocked vents, they aren’t as good at detecting partial blockages.

Dryer fires are responsible for seven deaths, 344 civilian injuries, and $233 million in property damage annually, according to NFPA spokesperson Susan McKelvey. Given these numbers, we asked CR’s experts for advice on reducing your risk of a dryer fire. Below, four simple best practices to ensure safety in the laundry room.

Not once a month, or even once a week: “Clean the lint from the dryer’s lint screen after every load,” Handel says. “This helps prevent a fire, and it also helps your laundry dry faster.”

Generally, dryers are equipped with a 4-inch vent hole in the back, which is connected to the exterior vent with a duct. But not all ducts will do.

If you see a plastic or foil accordion-style duct connecting your appliance to the vent, it’s a good idea to replace it. This type of duct is risky because it can sag, allowing lint to build up at low points and trapping lint in its ridges.

Handel recommends a rigid metal duct. “The smooth walls allow the air to flow, and also reduce the buildup of lint,” he says. “A flexible metal duct should be your second choice.”

One other tip: Use duct connectors and metal clamps or foil tape to join sections of duct rather than sheet-metal screws, which can catch lint and cause buildup inside the duct.

If you notice that your dryer takes longer to dry laundry than it used to, that’s a clue that there may be a blockage in the dryer vent system. When you’re drying a load, go outside and look at the vent. Do you see or feel exhaust air? If not, the vent or exhaust duct may be blocked with lint.

Start by disconnecting your dryer from the power source. And if you have a gas dryer, also turn off the gas valve near the dryer. “Carefully slide the dryer away from the wall so that you can access the vent that’s typically in the back of the dryer,” Handel says. “If you have a gas dryer, take care not to overstretch or damage the gas line.”

Disconnect the duct from the dryer, and vacuum both the dryer and the duct—as much as you can access. Where possible, separate the duct into shorter sections for better access, then reassemble and attach the duct to the dryer. Be sure all joints in the duct are properly connected and held together with clamps or foil tape. While you’re at it, clean behind the dryer and underneath it—lint builds up there too. Don’t forget the area between the dryer wall to the outside. Air must also flow freely through this obscured area.

Then return the dryer to its original spot and reconnect the power. You can briefly turn the dryer on to blow any residual lint outside. Finally, occasionally check your outdoor vent after windy weather, cold winter spells, and snowstorms to ensure it isn’t blocked by snow, leaves, or even bird nests.

Laundry stained with gas, cooking oil, cleaning agents, or other flammable chemicals or substances needs special care. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends washing stained clothing or other items more than once to minimize volatile chemicals, then hanging them to dry.

If you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that concludes with a cool-down period.

In the event that a fire does start, keep the dryer door closed to limit its oxygen supply—a fire needs oxygen to keep it going.

Keith Flamer

Keith Flamer has been a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports since 2021, covering laundry, cleaning, small appliances, and home trends. Fascinated by interior design, architecture, technology, and all things mechanical, he translates CR’s testing engineers’ work into content that helps readers live better, smarter lives. Prior to CR, Keith covered luxury accessories and real estate, most recently at Forbes, with a focus on residential homes, interior design, home security, and pop culture trends.