Clothes dryers are convenient for doing laundry, but can be dangerous if not properly maintained.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, clothes dryers accounted for the largest share of appliance and tool fires from 1994 through 1998.

According to West Des Moines firefighter Mike Whitsell, there were 14,300 clothes dryer fires in United States homes in 1998, causing 19 deaths and 312 injuries. Whitsell said clothing inside the dryers was the most common source of ignition in these fires, followed by dust and lint.

Practice the following safety tips when using a clothes dryer:

Do not operate the dryer without a lint filter. Be sure to clean the filters before and after use and remove accumulated lint from around the drum.
Turn the dryer off when leaving home or before going to sleep.
Keep the area around the dryer clear of combustibles.
Make sure the dryer is plugged into an outlet suitable for its electrical needs. Overloaded electrical outlets can cause fuses to blow or trip circuit breakers.
Always have a dryer serviced and installed by a professional.
Gas-powered dryers should be routinely inspected by a professional to ensure the gas line and connection are intact.