Did you Know what one of the leading causes of houes fires was?

Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines Fact Sheet

In 2006, an estimated 17,700 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home*

structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines (including

combination washer/dryers) resulted in an estimated:

• 15 civilian deaths

• 360 civilian injuries

• $194 million in direct property damage

• Most (81%) non-confined home structure fires involving washers or

dryers began in a laundry room or area.

• Most of these home fires involve clothes dryers (92% in 2003-2006).

• The risk of fire is slightly higher for gas-fueled clothes dryers than for

electric-powered clothes dryers.

• The leading cause (29% of fires) of home clothes dryer and washer fires was

failure to clean.

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Estimates are derived from the U.S. Fire Administration National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS)

Version 5.0 and NFPA’s annual fire department experience survey.