Did You Know?
Clothes dryers account for over 15,000 structure fires annually? Eighty percent of those fires occur in residential buildings, causing approximately 400 deaths annually.
How does a clothes dryer catch on fire?
Well, when you put wet clothes in a dryer, hot air blows to dry the clothes creating lint. Most of the lint is caught in the lint filter, however some lint enters the ventilation duct as gradually builds up over time. The built up lint in the dryer and in the dryer ventilation is an extreme hazard. Additionally, the vent that exists the home may be blocked, usually by a bird's nest, preventing the proper ventilation of the exhaust and lint from the dryer.
According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), eighty-one percent of fires occur in a one-and two-family residences.
Is You Dryer at Risk for a Fire?
- Do heavy clothes (jeans & towels) takes a longer time to dry?
- Are the clothes coming out of the dryer hotter than normal?
- Is the door of the dryer hot to touch on the outside?