Clothes dryers cause about 13,820 home fires a year in the U.S., with 7 deaths, 344 injuries and $233 million in property damage annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association’s latest figures (2014–2018 data). The leading cause is simple: failure to clean. The U.S. Fire Administration puts it at 31% of home dryer fires (2018–2020 data).
How a dryer fire starts
Every load sends lint into the vent. Lint is highly flammable. When it builds up along the vent, airflow drops, the dryer runs hotter and longer, and the heat can ignite the lint.
Warning signs
- Clothes need two or more cycles to dry
- The clothes or the inside of the dryer are still damp or humid when the cycle ends
- The dryer or laundry room gets unusually hot
- A burning smell while the dryer runs
- Lint building up around the outside vent flap, or the flap barely opens
- Water stains on a ceiling or wall near the dryer vent. A fully blocked vent traps moist air, which condenses into water and leaks out at the vent joints. Why this happens
If you notice a burning smell, stop the dryer and do not use it until it has been checked.
How to prevent a dryer fire
- Clean the lint filter before or after every load
- Do not run the dryer when you leave home or go to bed
- Keep the area around the dryer clear of clothes, boxes and cleaning products
- Check that the outside vent flap opens freely when the dryer runs
- Have the full vent run professionally cleaned. We generally recommend every two years, sooner with pets, frequent loads or a long vent run
Never forget your next cleaning
After we clean your dryer vent, we mail you a reminder postcard when your next cleaning is due, so it never slips your mind.
Recent dryer fires in Maryland and DC
- Sep 15, 2026, Rockville (Montgomery County): dryer fire at an apartment building; smoke in the building, no injuries. MoCo Show
- Sep 9, 2026, Sykesville (Carroll County): basement dryer fire; residents evacuated, no injuries. Gamber & Community Fire Co.
Schedule a dryer vent cleaning
Real Clean Air is locally owned, a NADCA member since 2013, and ASCS-certified. Fill out our short form for basic pricing, or call (301) 524-7990, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Get Basic Pricing · Dryer Vent Cleaning · Frederick · Columbia
Sources: Consumer Reports, citing NFPA · U.S. Fire Administration