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A firefighter looks at a burnt-out dryer. According to the Marine Corps Base Safety Division, more than 15,000 annual fires are caused by dryers.

Photo by Photo by the National Fire Protection Association

Simple ways to safety

15 Apr 2014 | Cpl. Samuel Ellis Marine Corps Base Quantico

Not having one is inconvenient. Having one, that isn’t taken care of, is hazardous at best and deadly at worst. The U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System found that there are an estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings that are reported to U.S. fire departments each year, and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are a few simple things people can do to prevent a dryer fire.

Have a professional install and service your machine.

Using a lint filter is a must.

Keep the lint filter clean, and check it after every load.

Use correct plug and outlet, and ensure the connection is secure.

Keep the exhaust vent unrestricted, and keep it free from lint using a dryer vent brush.

Use the appliance per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Ensure the dryer is off when you leave or retire for the evening.

Remove combustibles, like cardboard and chemicals, from the area around the dryer.

Doing those simple things may help reduce the chances of dryer fires. According to NFPA, “the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is failure to clean them.”

Even if it is tongue-in-cheek, base safety also recommends an alternate method of drying clothes.

“If all else fails, you can always use an old-fashion clothesline,” lists their report. “There has never been any reported clothes line fires to date.”

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil


Marine Corps Base Quantico