Laundry fires can be deadly. One of the least-known causes of these fires is spontaneous ignition of laundry, which can happen before, during, or after the wash and dry cycles. This bulletin explains the hazard, explores the factors that increase the risk, and discusses how to reduce the risk.
Dirty lint filters and dryer vents
Clogged dryer vents, ducts, and filters are the primary causes of dryer fires.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are nearly 3,000 clothes dryer fires reported each year, with an estimated 5 deaths and 100 injuries reported annually. So, why shouldn't you run the dryer when you aren't home? Because accidents can happen. Outlets can overheat.
It is okay to leave clothes in the dryer overnight provided you dry them first. Otherwise, you can get mold if you leave them wet. The next morning, before taking the clothes out of the drier, just give them a few minutes of tumbling to get out some of the wrinkles and make it easier to iron if necessary..
Play it safe and split a larger load into two smaller loads. Keep the area around your dryer clean. Sweep any dirt or lint from under and around your dryer and avoid placing anything on top of it, including clothing, cleaning supplies, and garbage. Watch for warning signs.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires each year, with dryers causing 92% of them and an average of $200 million in property damage.
These fires are often due to faulty or overtaxed wiring or malfunctioning lighting,6 but bedroom fires also start with cords, space heaters, or electric blankets. Bedding, carpeting, draperies, and other creature comforts of your bedroom are often the first items ignited in a fire.
The most common cause of a burning smell coming from your dryer is when the lint filter gets clogged. This not only causes a burning smell, but it's also extremely dangerous, as it can start a fire. Most manufacturers recommend that you clean the filter out after every use to avoid this from happening.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, starting almost half of all fires. Heating is the second highest cause, followed by electrical systems/lighting equipment and intentional fires. Smoking is the fifth highest cause, but is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
But even with these preventative steps you should clean your dryer vents at least once every 12 months to remove the lint and debris and prevent clogs! If you don't want to do it yourself - hire a Dustless Duct professionals to take care of dryer vent cleaning.
Once a dryer gets too hot, this component reacts to the increased temperature and shuts the appliance off automatically. However, if a cycling thermostat isn't functioning, it may be why a clothing dryer is overheating and shuts off.
Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. The second leading cause of home fires are heating sources like wood stoves, and fireplaces.
You can't smell these fumes, so if you are asleep the smell won't wake you – but a smoke alarm will. Unlike fires in the movies, the smoke from a house fire can be so thick that your house would be completely dark in 4 minutes, even with all the lights on!
December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, accounting for one-third of the fires, as well as the vast majority of deaths and injuries in home fires caused by heating equipment.
By not clearing out the lint, the dryer becomes a fire hazard. Every year, there are more than 3,000 house fires in the United States caused by dryers. A couple seconds is all it takes to clean out your dryer's lint trap. Lint is very combustible.
Don't leave appliances unattended – don't turn the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that can get very hot. Keep your dryer well ventilated, make sure the vent pipe is kink free and not blocked or crushed in any way.
The Advantage To Dryer Sheets
Aside from leaving fabrics smelling fresh and feeling soft, dryer sheets provide an important safety service. They help eliminate static on clothing. Static can cause dryer fires if a spark ignites debris in the lint trap. (An important reason to keep the lint trap clean.)
Clean the vent duct behind your dryer using a vacuum cleaner hose. If you can't get behind your dryer easily, there are vent cleaning accessories that can help. Vacuum up the lint around the back of the dryer, which can also be a fire hazard.
Overloading is one of the most common reasons for dryer breakdowns. As the motor pulley attempts to turn continuously during the drying cycle, friction can cause it to burn through the belt that turns the drum. The pulley itself can also breakdown. The result is not always immediate.
If damp clothes or bedding have been left in the washing machine or a basket for more than 8-12 hours we recommend giving it another wash. If it's been over 12 hours it's a safe bet that they will need to be re-washed.
A dryer vent clogged with lint or other obstructions will force the dryer to work harder, causing the unit to overheat. When too much heat builds up in your dryer, lint or debris in the dryer vent line can ignite, resulting in a dryer fire. The overheat shutoff is the dryer's last attempt to prevent a fire.
A burning smell coming from your dryer is not a good sign—it's a fire hazard. Try removing any built up lint from the lint catcher, cleaning the inside of the dryer, and/or cleaning the hose duct and vents. If the smell persists, you may need to check the electrical components inside the dryer and have them replaced.