Safety Reminder about Tumble Dryers
Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service is reminding people of the importance of maintaining tumble dryers, following a number of national news stories about fires in such appliances.
Tumble dryers and washing machines contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that get very hot. If you don’t clean and maintain your machine, excess fluff or lint can build up over time and catch fire.
There are a number of warning signs to watch out for:
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Does your tumble dryer smell of burning?
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Are your textiles taking longer to dry?
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Do the dried items feel hotter at the end of the cycle?
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Does the external vent flap stay shut when the dryer is on?
If you notice any of the above, clean the filter and check the vent pipe immediately. In addition, remember to:
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Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before using your dryer.
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Never leave your appliance unattended or running overnight.
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Never put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids.
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Keep your dryer well ventilated, ensuring that the vent pipe is kink free, not blocked or crushed in any way.
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Never cover the vent or any other opening, and only use recommended vent pipes and not improvised ones.
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Clean the filter in your dryer after every use.
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Only vent the warm air to the outside of the building.
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Have your dryer serviced regularly by a qualified engineer.
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Always have working smoke alarms installed in your home and test them regularly.
Station Manager Damien Bence, from the Prevention department, said: “Our advice is to never use tumble dryers and washing machines overnight; there is a risk of fire if these appliances develop a fault, and if this happens when people are sleeping, the risk to life is far greater.
“Tumble dryers, in particular, have been in the news lately as a number of manufacturers have sent out advisory letters asking owners to get their appliances checked. If you receive such a letter, you should make an appointment for an engineer to visit as soon as possible; in the meantime, follow any safety advice sent by the manufacturer and ensure that the machine is only used when supervised and clean it after each use.”
Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service offers free home fire safety advice to householders – to see if you qualify for a visit, call 0800 389 7849 or visit
www.wiltsfire.gov.uk
