Clothes dryer safety

Fire safety warning

All owners of clothes dryers need to be aware of the following information:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely and, most importantly clean the lint filter after every use.
• Move the dryer and vacuum lint that may collect behind, underneath and near the vent openings and make sure there is adequate room for ventilation around the dryer.
• Never turn the dryer off before the cool down period is over. With clothes left bunched up whilst still hot inside the dryer, there have been situations where clothes have combusted in this way. Clothes dryers are designed to allow clothes to cool down before the cycle is finished. 
• Items that have been spotted or soaked with vegetable or cooking oil constitute a fire hazard and should not be placed in the clothes dryer.
• Items that have been previously cleaned in, washed in, soaked in or spotted with petrol/gasoline, dry cleaning solvents or other flammable or explosive substances should not be placed in the clothes dryer.
• Never use the dryer to dry clothes that have not been washed. Unwashed clothes have a greater build up of oils and grease. Lint from these clothes will be more combustible and can ignite when hot. 
• Washing powders designed for cold water washing may not remove oils out of clothes as well as those designed for hot water washing. Clothes washed in cold water can have a greater build up of oils. Ideally, heavily soiled clothes should be washed in hot water.
• Items containing foam rubber (also know as latex foam) or similarly textured rubber like materials should not be dried in a clothes dryer on a heat setting.
• Undergarments that contain metal reinforcements should not be placed in a clothes dryer. This can result in damage to the dryer.
• Plastic articles such as shower caps or babies waterproof napkin covers should not be placed in a clothes dryer.
• Rubber backed articles, clothes fitted with foam rubber pads, pillows, galoshes and rubber-coated tennis shoes should not be placed in a clothes dryer.