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Dryers & washing machines

Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.   Do not operate the dryer without a lint filter.   Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.   See all safety tips

Dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 23 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2003-2006.

Facts and figures

• In 2006, an estimated 17,700 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines resulted in 15 civilian deaths, 360 civilian injuries and $194 million in direct property damage.
• Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 3%.
• The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (29%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (24%). Thirteen percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or short circuit.

Source: NFPA's "Home Fires Involving Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines" report by John R. Hall, Jr., March 2009.

Also see: Fact sheet on home fires involving dryers and washing machines. (PDF, 59 KB)

NFPA does not test, label or approve any products.
Updated: 3/09

In this Section:

Dryer safety tips What you need to know to keep these appliances safe. Reports & statistics NFPA reports and other research on washer and dryers.