Home Clothes Dryers and Outdoor Barbecues Pose Serious Fire Hazards Every Summer

Home clothes dryers and outdoor barbecues are two of the most common causes of structural fires in homes during the summer months. Home clothes dryer fires cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million USD in property loss annually, while peak months for house fires sparked by barbecue grills are July, June, May, and August. Failure to clean the dryer or vent causes a third of all home dryer fires, while accumulated dirt and grease fueled the flames in a third of structural fires sparked by grills. To avoid these hazards, homeowners should take smart precautions such as cleaning the dryer or vent and never leaving a grill unattended.