Consumer electronics department stores may create fire hazard when installing dryers.

Investigation into alleged hazardous and dangerous installation of dryers using flexible plastic or flexible metal foil to vent the dryer's hot exhaust. We are investigating complaints concerning Home Depot, Best Buy, Sears, P.C. Richard and other large retailers of home appliances which install dryers that they sold using flexible plastic or flexible foil, accordion-type ducting material for the dryer vents. This type of dryer vent tubing is a fire hazard because it traps lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which reduces airflow and creates a fire hazard. Dryer manufacturers warn against using flexible metal foil or plastic to vent the hot exhaust. They recommend using a heavy metal vent when installing the dryer vents. The hazardous installation of metal foil and plastic dryer vents has been linked to hundreds of fires, millions of dollars in property damage, and fatalities across the country. We urge you to check your dryer vent immediately. If you have a dryer with a vent that is made out of flexible plastic or is wrapped in metal foil and was installed by Home Depot, Best Buy, Sears, P.C. Richard, Lowe's, or other large retailers of home appliances, and wish to learn more about our firm's investigation or tell us about your complaint.