A SPATE of fires caused by tumble dryers has prompted the fire service to issue safety advice on the proper use of the household appliance.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) says people need to take special care with their appliances as recent bad weather has limited their ability to dry clothes outside.
The fire service advises householders should never use the tumble dryer at night or leave it unattended; check and clean the fluff filter after each use and never cover the vent or other openings.
They also advise the vent pipe should be free of kinks and not to put rags or materials into a tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids.
Clothes should be immediately removed after the cycle and shaken to assist cooling.
Station Commander, John Elsworth, HWFRS prevention, said: “People are using tumble-dryers more frequently during this unseasonably wet and cool summer weather, so we would like to issue some advice when using these appliances, in particular never leave a tumble dryer on when you are out of the house.”
