Home safety isn’t the first thing on most buyers’ or sellers’ minds — but it should be. Here’s a stat that stopped me in my tracks: over 90% of appliance-related home fires start in clothes dryers. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dryers and washing machines cause nearly 16,000 home structure fires every year — and most of them come down to lint buildup and poor airflow.
This caught my eye in a recent note from Adam Sedinger, a home inspector with BPG Inspections, and I thought it was worth sharing with all of you. Whether you’re getting your home ready to list or just doing seasonal maintenance, these six simple tips can help keep your family and your home safe.
6 Dryer Fire Prevention Tips
1. Clean the lint screen before every single load.
If clothes are still damp at the end of a cycle or drying takes longer than it used to, that’s a sign airflow is blocked.
2. Get the dryer vent inspected and cleaned every year.
A professional cleaning typically runs $99–$200. Make sure the exterior vent has no screen, a working flapper, and strong airflow while the dryer is running.
3. Check the duct length and layout.
Long or kinked ducts trap lint and choke off airflow. Your dryer’s user guide will tell you the maximum recommended duct length.
4. Vacuum around and under the dryer regularly.
Lint collects in hidden spots, and flammable items (cleaning rags, cardboard, boxes) should never live next to the dryer.
5. Replace plastic accordion-style ducts.
Upgrade to rigid or semi-rigid metal ducts with a slight downward slope — they resist lint and moisture buildup far better.
6. Be careful with chemically soiled clothing.
Clothes exposed to gasoline, cooking oils, or cleaning agents should be washed more than once and dried on low heat.
A Note for Sellers
If you’re thinking about listing, dryer safety is one more detail that shows your home has been well cared for. It’s the kind of thing that comes up in inspections — and the kind of thing a great listing agent (that’s us) helps you get ahead of.
Thanks to Adam Sedinger at BPG Inspections (TREC #8894-PI) for the original safety checklist — Adam.Sedinger@sem2.bpginspections.com, 800-285-3001.
Have questions about getting your home ready to sell? The Tom May Real Estate Team is here to help — reach out anytime.