Most dryer owners simply empty the lint filter, the device that collects fibers and debris that falls off of clothing during the drying process, on a semi-regular basis, and fail to tend to their dryer vents and ducts. According to the U.S. Fire Administration National Fire Data Center, failing to clean dryer vents and ducts is the leading contributing factor in fires linked to clothes dryers. By taking some time every year to thoroughly clean your dryer vent and air ducts, you can reduce your fire risk and keep your dryer running in optimal condition.

Dryer Vent

Clean your dryer vent on an annual basis (or sooner if you notice excessive build-up) to help boost your dryer's efficiency and avoid costly repairs. Unplug your dryer from the wall (and shut off the gas in the case of a gas dryer) and slide it out 1 to 2 feet (to the length of the flexible exhaust tube that connects the dryer to the wall). Disconnect the exhaust tube from the dryer. Clear the lint out of the hole in the dryer where it was connected to the wall, as well as any lint trapped in the entrance to the air duct. A shop or hose vacuum cleaner does a good job of helping completely remove the debris from these areas. Make sure you clear out any lint you find in the exhaust tube; most should be on either end, but you might need to use your vacuum tube to clear any blockages from the middle. Leave your dryer detached from the wall until you finish cleaning the outside duct.

Air Ducts

Clear the air ducts, the in-wall ductwork that vents your dryer to the outside, to minimize your fire risk and ensure adequate ventilation for your dryer exhaust. Find the outside vent for your dryer and remove the vent cover. Vents might be on an outside wall of the garage or laundry room, or they may be located on the roof, which is useful for laundry rooms located in the center of a house. Reach in and remove the lint with your hand or place your vacuum tubing into the vent and suction it out. This will often suffice if you only have a short duct, but for longer ones you might need to use a dryer vent cleaning brush to push the lint through the air duct. Dryer vent cleaning brushes consist of a brush attached to varying lengths of flexible tubing. After re-sealing the outside vent and re-connecting the dryer, run the dryer for 10 minutes to knock out any additional debris that settled in the dryer during the cleaning process.

Source:

USFA: Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings

Galtech: Dryer Vent Cleaning--How to Get Lint Out of Your Dryer Vents

Resource:

Consumer Product Safety Commission: Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires