Don't let your dryer become a fryer

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is issuing vital safety advice after two tumble dryer fires in the county overnight.

At 9.07pm on Wednesday 10 September, firefighters used one hose reel to extinguish a fire involving a tumble dryer in the kitchen of a house on St Mawgan Court, Warrington. No one was hurt in the incident and the crew isolated the power supply.

At 5:26am on Thursday 11 September, the Service was called to Kingsley Road in Frodsham to a fire involving a tumble dryer that had been put on overnight.

On arrival firefighters were met with smoke coming from the kitchen window and wore breathing apparatus to check the property. One hose reel was used to extinguish the fire and a thermal imaging camera was also used to ensure it had not spread. A large fan was then required to clear the smoke. Again fortunately no one was injured as a result of this incident.

Head of Prevention and Protection Keith Brooks said: "With people likely to start using their tumble dryers more as we move into autumn, it is important that they follow some basic but vital safety advice to reduce the risk of fire. Simple steps include ensuring you remove the lint after every load of clothes has been dried, and never leaving the dryer running overnight or while you are out."

General safety

Don't leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight or while you are out. They are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors.

Tumble dryer safety

• Remove the lint from the trap after every load of clothes dried
• Do not cover the vent or any other opening
• Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not crushed in any way
• Only used recommended vent pipes, and not improvised ones
• Only vent the warm air to the outside of a building
• Do not put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids.

Signs that your tumble dryer is not properly ventilated

• Clothes take a very long time to dry, especially heavy articles of clothing such as towels or jeans
• Clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle
• The flapper on the vent hood remains closed when the dryer is on

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