Dryers make our lives easier, but they’re also a fire hazard. About 2,900 dryer fires in residential buildings are reported in the US each year. These fires result in about five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

The good news? You can prevent them. If you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll talk about how dryer fires start, how to put them out, and how to prevent them. 

What Is a Dryer Fire?

A dryer fire is a type of fire that starts inside a clothes dryer or its vent system. It’s usually caused by lint buildup. Lint is extremely flammable, and it blocks airflow when it accumulates in the lint trap, ducts, or vents. As a result, the dryer gets hotter than it should. The heat can then ignite the lint and start a fire. 

Clogged or crushed vents, especially ones made of flimsy plastic, also increase fire risk by trapping hot air. Overheating from faulty parts or poor installation can do the same. Another reason is putting the wrong things in the dryer, like fabric with oil, gasoline, or cleaning products. They can catch fire quickly when exposed to high heat. 

How to Prevent Dryer Fires

Preventing dryer fires doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how to prevent them in five easy steps: 

1. Have a Fire Prevention Kit

Be prepared in case something goes wrong. Your fire prevention kit should include a fire blanket, fire spray, fire protection gloves, and a fire extinguisher. You should also install smoke detectors and fire sprinklers around your house. Having them helps you put out dryer fires before they become a full-blown inferno. 

Do you want reliable, easy-to-use, and affordable tools to put out small fires before they spread? Check out Prepared Hero’s fire prevention tools here, and get up to 51% off on certain items. 

2. Clean the Lint Filter After Every Load

Lint is the number one cause of dryer fires. Always clean the lint trap before or after each cycle. It only takes a few seconds, but it can save your dryer and your home. Learn how to clean your dryer lint trap here. 

3. Keep the Dryer Vent Clean

Clogged vents block airflow and cause the dryer to overheat. Regularly check your vent and schedule a professional cleaning at least once a year to clear out hidden lint. Find out more about dryer vent cleaning here. 

4. Don’t Overload the Dryer

Drying too many clothes at once traps heat and puts extra strain on your dryer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended load size for safer drying.

5. Use the Right Plug and Outlet

Plug your dryer directly into the correct outlet. Don’t use extension cords because they can overheat and spark a fire.

How Often Should a Dryer Vent Be Cleaned?

You should clean your dryer vent at least once a year, but some homes need it more often. If you’ve got a big family and do laundry nonstop, clean your dryer vent every six months. Pet owners should also clean more often since fur and dander can clog vents fast. Drying bulky stuff like towels and blankets produces extra lint, too. 

Watch for warning signs as well. Your vent is likely clogged if your clothes take longer to dry, the dryer feels hotter than normal, or you notice a burning smell. Weak airflow and lint around your dryer are other red flags.

Keeping vents clear isn’t just about faster drying. It prevents fire hazards, saves energy, and helps your dryer last longer. Regular maintenance goes a long way, so regularly clean your vent to keep your home safe and your dryer efficient.

How to Clean a Dryer Vent

Cleaning your dryer vent is one of the most crucial steps in preventing dryer fires. Lint builds up fast, and it can cause fires if you don’t clear it out. Here’s how to clean your dryer vent properly: 

1. Get your supplies.

You’ll need a vacuum with a hose, a dryer vent cleaning kit (or a stiff brush if that’s all you have), electrical tape, and a broom.

2. Unplug the dryer.

Disconnect the power before cleaning. If you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas valve, too. Then, pull the dryer a few feet away from the wall so you can reach the vent connection.

3. Disconnect the vent duct.

Loosen the clamps or cut any zip ties holding the duct in place. Then, gently pull the duct away from the dryer.

4. Vacuum the duct.

Use your vacuum hose to suck up as much dryer lint and dust as possible from inside the duct and around the dryer opening.

5. Brush it out.

Attach the rods and rotating brush from your cleaning kit to a drill. Then, run the brush inside the duct to loosen and push out any stubborn lint buildup.

6. Clean and reconnect.

Vacuum up the mess, wipe down surfaces, and reconnect the vent. Don’t forget to check and clean the outside vent flap as well.

7. Hire a professional if needed.

If you’re not confident about cleaning the dryer vent by yourself, hire a professional instead. They have the tools and experience needed to make sure your dryer’s safe. 

What Are the Different Types of Dryer Vents?

Not all dryer vents are the same, and the one you choose affects your dryer’s safety and performance. Here are the different types of dryer vents:

1. Aluminum Foil Ducts

These ducts are affordable and easy to find, but they’re not the best option for inside walls. It’s because they can crush easily and trap lint.

2. Semi-Rigid Metal Ducts

Semi-rigid metal ducts are stronger than foil. They’re also flexible but hold their shape better, which lowers the chance of clogs.

3. Rigid Metal Ducts

In general, rigid metal ducts are the safest option. They’re smooth inside, so lint has less chance to build up. They can also be safely used inside walls.

4. Slim or Periscope Ducts

They’re great for tight spaces. If your dryer is close to the wall, this type saves space and keeps things neat.

5. Vinyl Vents

Vinyl vents were once common. However, they’re now a fire hazard that you should avoid.

What Are the Signs of a Dryer Fire?

Dryer fires don’t happen out of nowhere. Your dryer usually gives off warning signs first. Knowing what to look for helps you catch the problem before it gets dangerous. Here are the warning signs of a dryer fire:

1. Clothes Take Too Long to Dry

A clogged vent slows down airflow. As a result, your dryer works harder. If one cycle doesn’t get the job done, your dryer is likely to start a fire. 

2. Hotter Than Usual

Does your laundry room feel like a sauna? If yes, your dryer is producing more heat than normal, and it’s struggling to push air out. Extra heat also means more stress on your dryer and a higher chance of overheating.

3. Burning Smell

If you notice a burning smell, stop the dryer immediately. That odor usually means the lint is overheating, which can quickly start a fire. Remember, a small flame can turn into a major fire in 30 seconds. 

4. Lint Buildup

Lint belongs in the lint trap, not around the dryer hose or vent. If you see it piling up in random spots, the airflow is blocked, and your dryer needs to be cleaned.

5. Sudden Stops or Smoke

If your dryer quits mid-cycle or you see smoke, turn it off right away. Don’t use it again until the vent is checked.

What to Do if Your Dryer Goes on Fire

Dryer fires happen more often than most people think, and knowing what to do keeps your home safe. Here’s what to do if your dryer catches fire:

1. Keep the Door Shut

Don’t open the dryer. Opening it lets more oxygen in, which can make the fire worse. It can also expose you to toxic smoke and dangerous heat.

2. Use a Fire Blanket, Spray, or Extinguisher

If the fire is still small and it’s safe to approach, use a fire blanket, spray, or extinguisher to put it out. If the fire is on the outside, you can use a fire blanket to cover it. Then, wait until the fire dies. As an alternative, you can use a fire spray or extinguisher.

Simply aim your fire spray or extinguisher at the fire, press the button, and sweep it from side to side. Find out more about the PASS method here. 

Only do this if you feel confident and the fire is small. If it looks out of control, get out right away and call the fire department.

3. Unplug and Exit Safely

Once the fire is out, unplug the dryer if it’s safe to do so. Then, close the laundry room door as you leave to help prevent reignition.

4. Call the Professionals

Call an electrician to check for damage. Smoke and soot cleanup should also be handled by restoration pros.

Where Do Dryer Fires Usually Start?

Dryer fires usually start in the heating element and exhaust vent. Lint, which is extremely flammable, can accumulate in these areas if not cleaned regularly. When lint gets too close to the dryer’s heat, it can ignite quickly. 

Clogged vents are another common problem. If the vent is blocked by lint or other items, airflow gets restricted. This makes the dryer overheat, which increases the chances of a dryer fire. 

It’s not just lint, though. Putting the wrong items in the dryer can also start a fire. Items like rubber, foam, or plastic don’t belong in your dryer. Even clothes stained with oil, gasoline, or cleaning products are dangerous because the heat can cause them to catch fire.

Another overlooked cause is poor installation. Long or flexible plastic ducts make it easier for lint to pile up. Using rigid metal ducts is much safer.

What Are the Odds of a Dryer Causing a Fire?

Dryer fires happen more often than most people think. The US Fire Administration (USFA) reports about 2,900 residential dryer fires every year. These result in about five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property damage. 

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that fire departments responded to an estimated average of 15,970 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines each year. These fires caused 13 civilian deaths, 444 civilian injuries, and $238 million in direct property damage in a year. Plus, most of the fires (92%) involved dryers. 

Is It Safe to Leave the Dryer on and Leave the House?

It’s not safe to leave the dryer on and leave the house. Fire departments and safety experts all warn against leaving heat-producing appliances like dryers unattended. The biggest risk is fire, and if no one is home to notice early signs, the damage can spread quickly.

One of the main causes is lint buildup. Even if you clean the lint filter every load, lint can still collect in the vent, duct, or other parts of the dryer. Since lint is highly flammable, it only takes a little extra heat for it to ignite. 

Restricted airflow is another problem. A blocked or crushed vent makes the dryer run longer and hotter, which also raises fire risk.

Mechanical or electrical issues add to the danger. A faulty heating element, a bad thermostat, or worn wiring can create sparks or too much heat near the lint. If your dryer isn’t installed correctly, or if it’s vented with flimsy plastic ducts instead of rigid metal, the risk goes up even more.

Lastly, some items shouldn’t go in the dryer at all. Clothes or rags exposed to oils, gasoline, or alcohol can catch fire when exposed to heat.

The safest choice is to only run your dryer when you’re home and awake. That way, if something goes wrong, you can act fast. A little caution goes a long way toward protecting your home from a dryer fire.

Is It Bad to Stop a Dryer Early?

It is bad to stop a dryer early. The most common downside is ending up with damp clothes. If you cut the cycle off during the heating phase, your laundry won’t dry completely, which means you’ll need to run it again. That wastes time and energy.

Then there’s another issue for electric dryers. The heating element is designed to cool down gradually with the fan running. If you stop the cycle too soon, the fan shuts off, and the element may overheat. Over time, this can cause warping or damage. In rare cases, leftover heat could pose a fire risk.

If your dryer has advanced sensors, stopping early can also confuse the control system. Some models may not register the cycle properly, which could lead to errors or inconsistent drying in the future.

The safest approach is to let the dryer finish its full cycle, especially the cool-down phase. That part is there for a reason. It helps lower the temperature safely and keeps clothes from coming out too hot. If you need to stop the dryer, press the power button instead of just yanking the door open. Many modern dryers are built to shut down safely this way, though some won’t stop immediately since they’ll run the fan briefly to cool things off.

It’s fine to pull clothes out in an emergency, but be careful cause they’ll likely be hot. If your dryer has a pause feature, that’s the best option since it allows you to restart without issues. 

Should You Leave Your Dryer Door Open When Not in Use?

You should not leave your dryer door open when not in use. Unlike a washing machine, which benefits from being left open to prevent mold and mildew, a dryer doesn’t hold onto moisture in the same way. Leaving the door open doesn’t help the machine at all and can create problems.

One of the biggest concerns is pet safety. Cats, especially, are curious and may crawl inside an open dryer. If the door gets shut or the machine is started without noticing them, it could end in tragedy. Keeping the door closed removes that risk completely.

There’s also the matter of efficiency. An open dryer door lets outside air flow into the drum, which can create drafts that mess with the temperature in your home. It may not seem like much, but sealing the appliance helps maintain your climate-controlled space.

In some dryers, leaving the door open can even keep small components active, like interior lights. While not common, it’s still a good reason to keep the door shut when the dryer isn’t in use.

So while it’s smart to leave a washer open, the same rule doesn’t apply to dryers. Closing the door keeps pets safe, saves energy, and avoids unnecessary wear on the appliance.

Will a Dryer Shut Off if It Gets Too Hot?

Yes, most dryers are built to shut off if they get too hot. This is a safety feature that helps prevent fires. Overheating usually happens when airflow is restricted, like from a clogged lint filter or blocked vent. 

Sometimes it can also be caused by a faulty part, such as a high-limit thermostat or thermal fuse. To avoid these problems, clean the lint trap after every load and keep the vent system clear. Regular maintenance keeps your dryer running safely.

Conclusion

Keeping your dryer safe comes down to simple habits that don’t take much time. Clean the lint filter after every load, keep vents clear, and don’t overload the machine. Avoid putting unsafe items inside, and never leave the dryer running when you’re not home. 

Most dryer fires can be prevented, so staying consistent with maintenance protects your home, your family, and your appliance. Stay safe, hero!