August 25, 2026, 4:56 am | Read time: 3 minutes
When a fire occurs in your own house or apartment, the damage is usually immense. The causes of a fire are very diverse. Often, it’s human negligence, such as an unattended candle or cigarette. Firefighters are increasingly called out because an electrical device has caught fire due to a technical defect. But what about the fire risk with clothes dryers? To find out how significant the risk really is, myHOMEBOOK consulted with firefighters and insurance experts.
Follow myHOMEBOOK on WhatsApp now
There is no reliable data on house fires caused by clothes dryers. However, the Institute for Damage Prevention and Damage Research of Public Insurers (IFS) provides some guidance. Experts there examine about 2,000 fire damage cases each year. In the current statistics for 2025, technical defects in electrical devices were the most common cause of fires, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the cases studied.
“Within this group, clothes dryers play a significant role. Only technical errors in refrigerators and freezers led to more fires,” reports the IFS.
Why can dryers catch fire?
Several factors come together in a clothes dryer. The devices run on 230 volts from the outlet and get hot. At the same time, many textile fibers and lint accumulate in the device.
“Technical defects occur due to short circuits or electrical discharges in the air. These so-called arcs become extremely hot and can ignite components or plastic parts,” explains Christian Ponzel, spokesperson for the German Insurance Association (GDV), based on past damage cases. “Sometimes a damaged or pinched cable has also led to the dryer catching fire.”
In its annual “Fire Damage” cause statistics, the IFS provides specific examples. In one extreme case, accumulated lint ignited near the heating element. Such a situation is rare with regular cleaning of the lint filter.
In another case, textiles in the dryer drum caught fire, which, although washed, still contained oily or greasy residues. However, this involved an older dryer model. In modern devices, manufacturers have largely eliminated potential heat weaknesses.
Also interesting: What else can dryer water be used for?
How to reduce the fire risk
To make it clear: A clothes dryer can catch fire due to a technical defect. However, the fire risk is relatively low, especially with modern dryers.
Nevertheless, every dryer owner can further reduce the fire risk. “Regularly clean the lint filter and drum to prevent lint and dust buildup. While lint and dust are now rarely the cause of fires, they can accelerate the spread of a fire,” emphasizes GDV spokesperson Christian Ponzel.
These signs can be crucial
“Also watch for unusual noises, smells, or visible damage. Regularly check cables and plugs,” advises the spokesperson. If you notice anything unusual, you should definitely contact the manufacturer’s customer service. They will then inform a service technician to inspect the device on-site.
Additionally, Silvia Oestreicher from the German Firefighters Association advises, “Never connect dryers to the power grid via a power strip with other devices. There is a risk of overload. Therefore, always connect a dryer directly to an outlet.” At the same time, the fire expert recommends, “always follow the manufacturer’s instructions in the user manual correctly.” Also, a smoke detector should be installed in the room where the dryer is located.
Overall, the fire risk with clothes dryers has decreased in recent years. This is evident from the annual Fire Damage Cause Statistics from the IFS. In 2018, dryers were still the leading cause of fires due to technical defects. Now, in the damage researchers’ evaluation, the devices rank only second.