Why do clothes dryers catch on fire?

An estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year and have caused about 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Cleaning the lint trap will help in this but nothing is more critical than having a professional come to your home and clean your dryer vent pipe to assure the safety of your home and family with this appliance.