Dryers and Washing Machines

Dryers washing machines were involved in one out of every 22 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2006-2010.Facts and figures

• In 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injuries and $236 million in direct property damage.
• Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires; washing machines 4%, and washer and dryer combinations accounted for 4%.
• The leading cause of home clothes dryer and washer fires was failure to clean (32%), followed by unclassified mechanical failure or malfunction (22%). Eight percent were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.
• Read all of NFPA's clothes dryer safety tips and download our free safety tip sheet