Firefighters issue safety warning after three tumble dryer fires

Between January 18 and 19 firefighters from across the county attended three separate house fires involving tumble dryers.

A crew from Chesterfield responded to a report of a house fire on Roecar Close, Chesterfield, at 3.52pm, on January 18, but the occupant had extinguished the fire prior to the crew’s arrival.

Firefighters from Melbourne, Nottingham Road and Ascot Drive were also called out at 8:54pm, on January 18, to a house fire on Twyford Road, Barrow on Trent, which caused extensive damage to a utility room.

Also, at 10:25am, on January 19, firefighters from Dronfield and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Lowedges station attended a house fire on Holbein Close, Dronfield.

All Three homes had working smoke alarms.

The fire service has stressed that being aware of the risks associated with using electrical appliances can help keep you and your family safe from fire.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has therefore like provided the following safety advice and information relating to tumble dryers:

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions;

Don not use tumble dryers at night or while unattended;

Do not overload plug sockets;

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 use 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.

Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service has also provided the following safety advice and information relating to electrical items: