A debris collection slot or groove formed near the exit of a vent channel in a circuit breaker. Debris is produced during a circuit interruption, causing the debris to travel into the vent channel toward an opening where it exits the circuit breaker. Too much accumulated debris can lead to a ground strike or a cross-phase condition. The debris collection groove, formed near the exit opening of the vent channel, has no significant effect on the internal pressure generated during the circuit interruption. Multiple grooves can be formed near the exit opening for trapping more debris. When the vent channel is bent, the grooves are positioned on the outer curve of the last bend of the vent channel to trap the higher-density debris traveling around the curve.