Fires from Clothes Dryers

nevertheless pose a deadly threat in the event of malfunction. Every year in the U.S., an estimated 15,500 serious blazes are caused when clothes overheat and catch fire, events that can be particularly dangerous if the dryer is kept in tight space near flammable materials such as a linen closet. Even if you and your loved ones avoid injury, these fires can account for up to $100,000,000 in damages annually.

How Dryer Fires Occur

Interestingly, even as dryer technology advances, the problem of fires cause by them seems to be on the rise. This may be due in part to the ways in which many dryers are now installed in homes.

Many dryer fires are the result of lint accumulation in the ventilation ducts that let off heat exhaust. Traditionally, dryers were placed in basements, from which these ducts took a safe and direct path to the outside. However, dryer spaces in newer homes are often more restricted, such as nooks in kitchens and hallways. As a result, the exhaust pipes must travel farther and at sharper angles to reach the outside, which in turn increases the potential for lint to become clogged.

In addition to these architectural issues, flimsy material used in the construction of these pipes can also be at fault. Many cities and counties have established codes that specifically dictate what materials are acceptable. However, it is important to regularly check all the vents leading away from your dryer for both structural soundness and excessive lint accumulation.

Contact Us

Fires caused by drying machines can be devastating. It is important to read and exactly follow all safety regulations that come with your appliances. However, if you or someone you know has been affected by a house fire caused by a dryer and you believe housing construction or mechanical error might be at fault, contact an experienced Chicago house fire lawyer by calling Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200.