Guides / Updated 2026-10-13
Dryer vent fire safety for Central Florida homes
The lint trap is the part everyone remembers. The vent is the part that burns. Here is how to tell the line is in trouble, and how often a Central Florida house should have it cleaned.
Why lint is a fire problem
Lint is fine, dry, and flammable. A dryer pushes hot air through a four-inch line. When that line is narrowed by buildup, heat stays in the cabinet instead of leaving through the hood. The U.S. Fire Administration has long flagged dryers as a leading cause of home fires tied to appliances. The failure is rarely dramatic until it is.
Warning signs this month
Dry times that used to be 45 minutes are now 70. The laundry room heats up. Clothes come out hotter than the cycle suggests. The exterior flap barely moves. The dryer stops itself. None of those mean the machine is old. They mean the air cannot get out.
How often to clean it
Once a year for a normal household. Every six months if you do laundry most days, have pets, or a long attic run. Cleaning the trap after every load is still required. It is not a substitute for the vent.
What not to do
Do not keep running loads “to see if it gets better.” Do not stuff a leaf blower into the line and call it done if you cannot see the hood. And do not replace a crushed vinyl transition hose with another one. Metal, a clear path, and a hood that opens are the whole job.