News Reports

Dryer lint can be dangerous

Dear Heloise: Your article on clothes-dryer safety was very helpful.
However, you didn't mention what appears to be the most common cause of dryer fires – lint in the burner-assembly compartment. Every dryer has a small door or a removable panel giving access to this area. At least once every year or two, this area should be checked, and any lint within should be removed. Otherwise, the lint accumulates and can be ignited when the burner lights. I used to transcribe reports for a man who investigated fires for insurance companies. Every dryer fire he investigated started in the burner-assembly area.

– Joy from California

Joy, you're right – lint is a leading cause of dryer fires. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says there are more than 15,000 fires annually attributed to dryers.

After reading your column, one of my assistants noticed that her dryer (20-plus years old) wasn't drying like it should. Her husband checked the outside exhaust vent – it was clogged with lint! This can cause the dryer to overheat, not work properly and become a possible fire hazard. So, be sure to clean the lint trap after each load of laundry.

– Heloise