Home Insurance and Dryer Lint Fires

Dryer Fires

 

 

Washers and dryers are part of almost every household. They are appliances vital to most families and serve their purpose for years and years. Unfortunately these wonderful household contraptions also cause injuries, property damage and even deaths when they catch fire.

 

The National Fire Protection Association reports that dryers and washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to fire departments in 2006 through 2010. In 2010 there were over 16,000 home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines resulting in 51 deaths, 380 injuries and over $236 million in direct property damage. Dryers accounted for a whopping 92% of these fires.

 

The insurance industry is reporting that over 2,900 dryer fires occurred in residential buildings

in 2012. This translates into an estimated $35 million in property losses. Losses appear to peak in the fall and winter months. Failure to clean was the leading factor contributing to the ignition

of clothes dryer fires in residential buildings. Dust, fiber, lint and clothing were by far the leading items first ignited in clothes dryer fires.

 

For those dryer fire victims who had a homeowners or renters insurance policy, the policy would provide coverage subject to the deductible. Insurance companies are continuously working to educate their home insurance customers about the need to clean lint screens and make certain that vent hoses remain unblocked. Keeping these simple steps in mind could greatly reduce the damage, injuries and deaths from dryer fires each year, yet the number of claims paid continues at about the same pace. Dryer fires are more likely to cause a fire in your home that any other appliance including toasters and ovens. The most prevalent symptom that a fire may be on its way is when you take your clothes from the dryer and they are very hot or they are still damp at the end of the drying cycle.