The clothes dryer is an appliance we easily take for granted. But cycle after cycle of drying, fluffing, and tumbling can take its toll, which is why proper maintenance is a must in order to avoid hazards that can ultimately result in fires.

Indeed, the National Fire Protection Associationreports there were some 14,300 clothes dryer fires in homes in 1998, the most recent year for which figures are available. The fires resulted in 19 deaths, 312 injuries, and $67.7 million in direct property damage.

The leading cause of 30 percent of the fires was lack of maintenance. Eleven percent were triggered by an unidentified or unknown-type of mechanical failure, and 10 percent by part failure, leak, or break.

In most cases, clothing was the most common source of ignition. Dust, fiber, and lint are also common ignition sources.

The NFPA says dryers are the third most common type of equipment involved in home fires - following stoves and fixed area heaters.

"We take it for granted that our home appliances will work safely as they should," said Meri-K Appy, vice president of public education for NFPA. "But we need to take care of these devices to keep them safe. Don't let fire start in your home because you didn't clean your lint filter or maintain your dryer."

The Consumer Product Safety Commissionsays that under some conditions, when lint blocks the flow of air, excessive heat build-up can cause a fire in some dryers.

The NFPA and the CPSC offer these tips:

Published: March 18, 2003

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