Each year 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Here is everything you need to know about preventing a clothes dryer fire in your home!
Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Do Nots
- 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.
Source for Content: United States Fire Administration & Consumer Product Safety Commission
For more information and resources about clothes dryer safety, visit our full website here.
