Exclusive:
Your tumble dryer could pose a danger if you miss these key warning signs after the appliances caused six fires in Wales over the past seven weeks – including two in one day
Your tumble dryer could be dangerous if you miss these key warning signs.
Tumble dryers are hugely helpful appliances for drying clothes quickly when the weather is too rubbish to make use of your washing line. But the machines can also be dangerous if they’re not properly cleaned or taken care of. In the past seven weeks, there have been six fires caused by tumble dryers in North Wales alone, with two separate fires taking place on the same day last week and one of them leaving two people in hospital.
According to an appliance expert, some warning signs could indicate your tumble dryer is unsafe to use, and we should all be aware of what they are to help prevent dangerous situations.
Chloe Blanchfield, Product Marketing Manager for Hisense UK, exclusively told The Mirror there are a “number of things to look out for” that could be signs your tumble dryer is unsafe – including a “slight smell of burning”, and your clothes coming out of the dryer hotter than they normally are.
She explained: “If there is a slight smell of burning, then clearly there’s probably some sort of issue with your machine. If your clothes take slightly longer than usual to dry, or if your clothes become hotter at the end of the cycle than usual, this can also indicate that your tumble dryer is unsafe, and they are things that people don’t always expect.”
The expert also shared the things that might go wrong with your tumble dryer to make it susceptible to catching fire, and how to stop them. “There are a couple of things that can potentially cause tumble dryers to catch fire, with one being a build-up of lint, so I’d recommend you clean the filter after every cycle to prevent any blockages,” Chloe added.
“Poor ventilation can also prove to be a fire hazard, so making sure your tumble dryer is well-ventilated and the vent pipe is not blocked in any way will prevent any overheating. I’d also recommend avoiding overloading your dryer too, as this can cause overheating or blockages – take note of the maximum load capacity of your machine, as this will vary on different models.”
And it’s important to make sure you’re always following the care instructions for your clothes to ensure you avoid potential hazards. Chloe explained: “Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use, and never leave the appliance unattended or running overnight. Also, never stop your tumble dryer mid-cycle as you’ll find metal items like buttons or zips on your clothes can get very hot.”
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at yourmirror@trinitymirror.com.
