Safety Tips to Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires

Published on February 05, 2026

Every year thousands of homes are damaged or destroyed by fires that started in clothes dryers. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading cause of these fires was an accumulation of lint in the dryer.

Cleaning your lint filter before and after each load of laundry is a quick and simple action you can take to prevent this everyday chore from sparking a fire in your home.

Here are some other key safety tips from the U.S. Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association that will keep your home safe from clothes dryer fires.

Using Your Dryer Safely:

• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter. 
• Clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry.
• Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
• Check the venting system behind the dryer to make sure that it is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
• Make sure that the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.
• Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.
• Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
• Keep the area around your dryer clear of things that can burn, like boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing.
• Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.

Be particularly careful with clothes that have come in contact with volatile or flammable substances, like gasoline, paint thinner, or similar solvents. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends washing these items more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hanging the clothes to dry. If a dryer must be used, CPSC recommends using the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle.

Installing and Servicing Your Dryer:

• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
• Dryers should be properly grounded.
• Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
• Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
• Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a qualified professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.

If you have any questions about fire safety, please contact the Melbourne Fire Prevention Office: 321-608-7915.