Tumble dryer safety advice for homeowners in Leeds

Recent news reports covered a horrendous fire, caused by a faulty tumble dryer, which caused huge amounts of damage to several flats in a tower block in London. Whilst house fires of this scale are, thankfully, relatively unusual, this particular incident just goes to show just how dangerous faulty tumble dryers can prove to be.

Although many of us can’t manage without a washing machine and tumble dryer, these appliances have very powerful motors and moving parts which can get very hot whilst the machine is operating and by not maintain your appliance, there is a very real danger that it could catch fire.

These are our top-tips for using a tumble dryer safely:

  • Always make sure you read and then follow the manufacturer’s safety advice before you use the machine for the first time. If you’ve already had your appliance for a while but haven’t got round to doing this – make sure you do as soon as possible!
  • Tumble dryers should never be left unattended whilst they’re running and this also applies to machines which are running overnight.
  • Never overload a washing machine or tumble dryer: make sure you know what the maximum load capacity is – don’t forget that this can vary from programme to programme – and always stick to it.
  • Fabric which has come into contact with flammable liquids should never be tumble dried.
  • Clean your tumble dryer vent every time you use it: blocked vents are the cause of many tumble dryer fires.
  • Tumble dryer vent pipes should be checked regularly to make sure that they are free of blockages, kinks or damage.
  • Never try to repair a faulty appliance yourself – always call in a qualified engineer and contact the manufacturer for advice.

Electrical advice throughout Leeds

Here at Dalec we are team of qualified, experienced electricians whose services are available to customers in Leeds. If you would like advice about any aspect of electrical safety in the home, or for a free, no-obligation quote, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling 01535 606 006.