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What Are the Best Dryer Vent Safety Tips?
theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/business/what-are-best-dryer-vent-safety-tips May 29, 2025
Your dryer works hard to make laundry day easier, but if it’s not maintained properly, it can become a fire hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers cause about 15,000 home fires yearly, mostly caused by lint buildup and poor airflow. The good news? These fires are preventable. By following the right dryer vent safety tips, you can protect your home, reduce energy bills, and help your dryer work better and last longer. Here, we’ll share the best tips for keeping your dryer vent clean and safe. However, if you want Dryer Vent Cleaning in Norcross and nearby areas, contact MMI Home Improvement Pro. Why Dryer Vent Safety Matters Your dryer creates hot air to dry clothes, and that hot air needs to escape through the vent. If lint builds up in the vent or the airflow is blocked, heat builds up inside your dryer. This can lead to: Fires from trapped lint Carbon monoxide leaks (in gas dryers) High energy use and bills Longer drying times Wear and tear on your dryer
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That’s why learning and using dryer vent safety tips is so important for every homeowner. 10 Simple Dryer Vent Safety Tips 1. Clean the Lint Trap After Every Load This is the simplest and most important safety tip. The lint trap (or lint screen) catches most of the lint during drying. But if it’s full, it slows down airflow and increases fire risk. What to do: After each load, remove the lint by hand. Wash the lint screen once a month with warm, soapy water to remove fabric softener buildup. Make sure it’s dry before putting it back. Why it matters: A clean lint trap helps your dryer breathe and lowers fire risk. 2. Deep Clean the Dryer Vent Once a Year The lint trap doesn’t catch everything. Some lint escapes into the vent hose. Over time, this lint builds up and clogs the duct. That’s when trouble starts. What to do: Unplug the dryer and move it away from the wall. Disconnect the vent hose and vacuum inside. Use a long brush or vent cleaning kit to reach deep into the hose and wall duct. Reconnect everything securely. Pro tip: Hire a professional to clean your dryer vent if you haven’t done it in a year or more or if the vent goes through the roof or second floor. 3. Use the Right Vent Materials Not all vent hoses are safe. Some materials are more likely to trap lint or melt during a fire. Use: Rigid metal ducts : safest and easiest to clean. Semi-rigid metal ducts : are also safe and flexible enough for tight spaces. Avoid: Plastic or vinyl ducts : these can melt or catch fire.
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Flexible foil ducts : can trap lint more easily. 4. Keep the Dryer Vent Short and Straight The longer the vent hose and the more bends it has, the harder it is for air to move through. Lint also builds up more in long or twisted vents. What to do: Keep the vent path as short and straight as possible. If your vent run is long, consider installing a booster fan. Limit the number of elbows (bends) in the duct. Tip: Dryer vent runs should be no longer than 35 feet (less if there are bends). 5. Make Sure the Vent Exhausts Outside Your dryer vent should always blow air outside not into a wall, attic, or crawl space. Moisture and lint should never stay indoors. Check: The outside vent flap opens easily when the dryer runs. No debris, bird nests, or leaves are blocking the outside vent. The area around the vent is clear and dry. Bonus tip: Install a vent cap with a screen to keep out pests. 6. Don’t Overload the Dryer It’s tempting to stuff in all your laundry at once, but too many clothes can stress your dryer. Why this matters: Overloading traps heat and creates more lint. It causes parts to wear out faster. Clothes won’t dry evenly. What to do: Stick to medium or small loads and follow the dryer’s weight limit. 7. Keep the Area Around the Dryer Clean Dust, pet hair, and lint can build up under and around your dryer. If these materials get hot, they can catch fire. What to do: 3/5
Sweep or vacuum behind and under the dryer every few weeks. Don’t store flammable items like cleaning products, cardboard boxes, or towels near the dryer. Make sure your dryer has space to breathe (at least a few inches from the wall). Read Also: How do you change a dryer vent hose? 8. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector (for Gas Dryers) If you have a gas dryer, a blocked vent can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up inside your home. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that’s dangerous or even deadly in high amounts. What to do: Place a CO detector near the laundry room. Test it monthly. Have your gas dryer inspected every year by a professional. 9. Know the Warning Signs of a Clogged Vent Your dryer may be telling you something is wrong. Watch for these signs: Clothes take longer to dry The dryer feels very hot to the touch You see lint around the dryer or vent opening A musty or burning smell The outside vent flap doesn’t move If you notice these signs, stop using the dryer and clean the vent immediately. 10. Get a Professional Dryer Vent Inspection Sometimes, problems are hidden behind the wall or inside the vent pipe, where you can’t see them. That’s why an annual inspection by a dryer vent technician is a smart move. Benefits of hiring a professional: Full vent cleaning from end to end Identify leaks, gaps, or crushed ducts Make sure everything is up to code It’s a small investment that could save your home and your family. Dryers are something we use all the time, but we don’t often think about the danger they can cause. However, by following these dryer vent safety tips, you can reduce fire risk, improve dryer performance, and extend the life of your appliance.
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