How Safe is Your Clothes Dryer? Did you know that clothes dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 21 home structure fires? Here are some interesting facts from the US Fire Department. From an estimated 14,500 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines, there were 449 injuries, 14 deaths and 207 million dollars in property damage. Clothes dryers accounted for 92 percent of those fires and washing machines about 5 percent. Washer and dryer combination units about 3 percent. 29 percent of those 14,500 home fires involving clothes dryers or washing machine fires were due to built up lint. That's why it's important to clean your lint trap and more importantly the exhaust vent on your dryer. Here are a few safety tips to help prevent these types of fires. When you purchase a new washing machine or clothes dryer have them professionally installed Have a licensed electrician inspect your electrical service to ensure your electric dryer has the correct sized breaker and is correctly wired and grounded Have a licensed technician inspect your gas fittings and gas flex hose for gas leaks and proper installation if you have a gas dryer Clean the lint from around your dryer drum, you're rigid or flexible metal venting material semi annually, never use your dryer without a lint filter Do not leave your dryer or any appliance running when you are not home Regardless of a gas supply or electrical supply to your appliances make sure their outlets are properly grounded Remove any combustible materials like cardboard boxes or other items that can burn from around your dryer Schedule a professional appliance technician to service your dryer every three years, they will take apart the dryer and clean lint you can not reach, lint that could create a fire within your dryer Install a class three, (A, B, C rated) fire extinguisher in your laundry room and make sure everyone in the home knows how to use it, consider installing one in the kitchen and the garage as well Clean your dryer lint trap every time you use the dryer Clean the lint exhaust line three times a year Take the exterior cover off the exhaust lint line during the cold months to ensure the moist lint hasn't frozen into the cover blocking the free flow of exhaust If the dryer isn't drying the way your accustomed to it drying call someone immediately - a poorly drying clothes dryer is a good indicator of a lint clogged dryer