Free to print and share
Dryer safety checklist
Ten steps drawn from official fire safety guidance. Failure to clean is the leading factor in home dryer fires,[5] so most of this list is about lint and airflow. Print it and tape it above your dryer.
- 1. Clean the lint filter before or after every load, and never run the dryer without it.[1]Why it matters: Lint is the item most often ignited first in home dryer fires. A clogged filter also pushes more lint into the vent.[5]
- 2. Clean lint from around the drum and from behind the dryer.[2]Why it matters: Lint that escapes the filter collects around the drum and behind the machine, close to the heat source.[2]
- 3. Check that the vent behind the dryer is not damaged, crushed or restricted.[2]Why it matters: A crushed or kinked duct traps lint and slows airflow. Leave a few inches behind the dryer so the duct is not pinched against the wall.[2]
- 4. Run the dryer and confirm the outdoor vent flap opens and air is coming out.[3]Why it matters: If exhaust air is not escaping outside, the vent or duct may be blocked, and lint blocking airflow can cause heat to build up and start a fire.[3]
- 5. Replace plastic or foil accordion duct with rigid or semi-rigid metal duct.[3]Why it matters: Flexible plastic or foil duct traps lint more easily and is more likely to kink or crush, which can greatly reduce airflow.[3]
- 6. Clean lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or sooner if drying takes longer than normal.[1]Why it matters: Failure to clean was a factor in 32% of home dryer fires in NFPA's 2014-2018 estimates. Clothes that are still damp after a normal cycle are the clearest sign the vent needs cleaning.[5]
- 7. Have gas dryers checked by a qualified professional for gas line leaks.[1]Why it matters: A qualified professional can confirm the gas line and connection are intact. About 22% of dryers involved in home fires are gas, close to their share of U.S. homes.[5]
- 8. Plug the dryer directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.[4]Why it matters: Major appliances like dryers should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, not into an extension cord or power strip.[4]
- 9. Keep boxes, cleaning supplies and clothing away from the dryer.[1]Why it matters: Clothing is the second item most often ignited first, after lint. Keep the area around the dryer clear.[5]
- 10. Turn the dryer off when you leave home or go to bed.[1]Why it matters: NFPA advises against leaving a dryer running when you leave home or go to bed, so a problem is caught by someone who is there.[1]
How often to do each step
The only fixed intervals in the official guidance are the lint filter (every load) and the vent pipe (once a year, or sooner if drying slows).[1] The rest fit naturally into routines you already have.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every load | Clean the lint filter (step 1). |
| Every time you leave or go to bed | Turn the dryer off (step 10). |
| When you clean the laundry room | Vacuum around the drum and behind the dryer, check the duct and outdoor flap (steps 2 to 4). |
| Once a year, or sooner if drying slows | Clean lint out of the full vent pipe, or hire a dryer vent cleaner (step 6). |
| Once, then after a move or a new dryer | Metal duct, wall outlet, gas line check, clear space around the dryer (steps 5, 7, 8 and 9). |
Who this checklist is for
- Homeowners and renters: print it and tape it above the dryer. If clothes are still damp after a normal cycle, read the dryer vent warning signs before the next load.
- Landlords, HOAs and property managers: about 83% of residential dryer fires start in the laundry area,[6] so shared and in-unit laundry rooms are where the list belongs. See dryer vents in apartments and HOAs for the building code rules that apply.
- Fire departments and safety educators: embed the list on your site with the code below, or hand out printed copies. Residential dryer fires peak in January,[6] which makes late fall a good time to share it.
Embed this checklist on your website
Fire departments, HOAs, property managers and dryer vent businesses can paste this code into any web page. It shows the full checklist and a small source credit. It is free and needs no sign-up.
Why these ten steps
The list follows the official tip sheets: NFPA's clothes dryer safety tips, the U.S. Fire Administration's dryer fire safety flyer and the CPSC's Publication 5022. For the numbers behind them, see dryer fire statistics. To spot a problem early, read the dryer vent warning signs. Managing a building? See dryer vents in apartments and HOAs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print or share this checklist?
Yes. It is free to print, hand out or post. Fire departments, HOAs and property managers can also embed it on their own website with the code on this page, which includes a credit link back to the source page.
Where does the checklist come from?
Every item comes from published guidance by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the U.S. Fire Administration or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Each item links to its source.
How often should I clean my dryer vent?
NFPA recommends cleaning lint out of the vent pipe once a year, or more often if drying takes longer than normal. The lint filter should be cleaned before or after every load.
What is the most common cause of dryer fires?
Failure to clean. It was a factor in 32% of home dryer fires in NFPA's 2014-2018 estimates, mainly from lint buildup, and lint is the item most often ignited first.
Is foil or plastic dryer duct safe?
The CPSC recommends replacing plastic or foil accordion-type duct with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Flexible plastic or foil duct traps lint more easily and is more likely to kink or crush, which cuts airflow.
Need a dryer vent cleaned?
Pick your city, compare local pros, and send one free quote request. Interested pros contact you directly.
Run a dryer vent business?
Listings are free. Featured pros appear first in their city and get homeowner quote requests first. First month free, then $19/month.
Sources
- NFPA, “Clothes Dryer Safety tip sheet,” 2018 edition.
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), “Clothes Dryer Fire Safety flyer,” accessed 2026.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires, Publication 5022,” revised February 2012.
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), “Appliance and electrical fire safety outreach materials,” cites NFIRS data 2018-2020, accessed 2026.
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), “Home Dryer Fires, Marty Ahrens,” published June 2020, 2014-2018 annual averages.
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), “Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010), Topical Fire Report Series Vol. 13, Issue 7,” published August 2012, NFIRS data 2008-2010.