Dryer fires not just from lint traps; check vents too

Clothes dryers are second only to stoves when it comes to causing house fires, but experts say these fires are preventable. Most people know to keep the lint traps inside their clothes dryer clean, but there's another fire risk that isn't so easy to check.

The National Fire Protection Agency estimates a nationwide average of 12,900 home dryer fires per year between 2012 and 2016. On average, dryer fires are blamed for 10 deaths, 360 injuries, and $211 million in property damage annually, according to a 2017 report. 

"The vent needs to be checked and cleaned once a year," says Keinan Buskila with Air Flows Chicago. "This is a flex vent, not a metal vent, and this needs to be changed every couple of years." 

Buskila cleans dryer vents with a long tube and brush from the outside of your home for a fee, but you can do some things on your own. 

"After every load we always recommend that people clean the front of the dryer machine," he said. "If you have a hazard light on or it takes you more than one load to dry your clothes, we highly suggest that you call a professional." 

Simply taking the tube off the vent behind your dryer and looking can help. Make sure your vent is not obstructed or crushed behind your dryer so there's good airflow. 

"Lint is very easy to burn, very flammable, doesn't allow for adequate air flow," says Scott Gregory of the Wake Forest Fire. "You're working with high temperatures in a dryer, so over time it doesn't allow for adequate airflow. So it can't ever cool down, so it's just harnessing all of that energy." 

Experts say the biggest warning sign that you have lint build-up is if your dryer is taking longer than usual to dry your clothes. The frequency of cleaning your vents usually depends on the number of loads you typically do. 

Below are tips on dryer vent maintenance and steps you can take on your own, according to ABC Chicago. 

• Have your clothes dryer installed by a professional.
• Make sure the correct electrical plug and outlet are used and that the dryer is connected properly.
• Read manufacturers' instructions and warnings in use and care manuals that come with new dryers.

Cleaning

• Clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry. Don't forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up. In addition, clean the lint filter with a nylon brush at least every six months or more often if it becomes clogged.
• Clean lint out of the vent pipe every three months
• Have your dryer cleaned regularly by a professional, especially if it is taking longer than normal for clothes to dry.

Maintenance

• Inspect the venting system behind the dryer to ensure it is not damaged or restricted.
• Put a covering on outside wall dampers to keep out rain, snow and dirt.
• Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is on.
• Replace coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid, non-ribbed metal duct.
• Have gas-powered dryers inspected every year by a professional to ensure that the gas line and connection are together and free of leaks.
• Check regularly to make sure nests of small animals and insects are not blocking the outside vent.
• Keep the area around the clothes dryer free of items that can burn.
• If you will be away from home for an extended time, unplug or disconnect the dryer.

Clothes dryer don't's

• Don't use a clothes dryer without a lint filter or with a lint filter that is loose, damaged or clogged.
• Don't overload the dryer.
• Don't use a wire screen or cloth to cover the wall damper. They can collect lint and clog the dryer vent.
• Don't dry anything containing foam, rubber or plastic. An example of an item not to place in a dryer is a bathroom rug with a rubber backing.
• Don't dry any item for which manufacturers' instructions state "dry away from heat."
• Don't dry glass fiber materials (unless manufacturers' instructions allow).
• Don't dry items that have come into contact with anything flammable like alcohol, cooking oils or gasoline. Dry them outdoors or in a well-ventilated room, away from heat.
• Don't leave a clothes dryer running if you leave home or when you go to bed