The Silent Fire Hazard: Why You Can't Ignore Your Dryer Vent

It's easy to forget about your dryer vent until there's a problem. Unfortunately, a "problem" with a dryer vent often means a house fire.

The Statistics

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

Warning Signs

Look out for these red flags:

• Clothes take more than one cycle to dry.
• The dryer is hot to the touch while running.
• You smell a burning odor in the laundry room.
• The outside vent flap doesn't open when the dryer is on.

Energy Efficiency Bonus

Beyond safety, a clean vent saves you money. If your dryer has to run twice as long to dry a load, you're doubling your energy cost for that appliance.

Our Recommendation

Have your dryer vent professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year.