Dryer vent fire safety: what to check at home
The U.S. Fire Administration lists failure to clean as the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires. Most of the prevention is simple.
Do these every time
- Clean the lint filter before or after each load
- Do not run the dryer when you leave the house or go to bed
Check these a few times a year
- Look outside while the dryer runs. You should feel air coming out of the vent
- Make sure the outdoor flap opens and is not blocked
- Pull the dryer forward and check that the hose is not crushed
- Confirm the vent goes outside, not into a crawl space or attic
- Replace plastic or foil hose with metal venting, as the NFPA advises
When to call a professional
If drying takes longer than it used to, the machine feels very hot, or you smell something burning, stop using the dryer and have it checked. A long in-wall or roof vent is also hard to clean properly with home tools.