Keeping Safe in Winter - Clothes Dryers
It's easy to get complacent with dryers - throwing in any old thing or forgetting to clean out the lint. But a number of dryer fires serve as a serious warning that complacency can be costly. The Energy Safety Service provides the following tips for people using clothes dryers:
- Clean the lint filter every time you use the dryer. Lint build up in the dryer is a key fire factor, and also reduces dryer efficiency. Make sure you also keep the area around the dryer free from lint.
- Wash in hot water anything that has been in contact with flammable products - for example, dry cleaning solvents, massage oil, cooking oil, hair care products, or any products containing petroleum.
- Only use the dryer to dry fabrics washed in water with approved soap powders.
- Check the pockets before you put any clothes into the dryer - a cigarette lighter was the cause of one dryer fire.
- Always let the dryer complete its cool down cycle before turning it off. Some older dryers may not have a cool down cycle - if this is the case you should remove the clothes and separate them out to cool. Clothes left bundled up are more likely to catch fire.
- Never dry rubber, fibreglass, any plastic or film in the dryer - for example, plastic table cloths and baby bibs.
- Install dryers according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Only run the dryer with the airflow system free from obstruction.
Have your dryer serviced at regular interval as recommended in the manufacturer's instruction manual. The manufacturer's local agent should also be able to tell you when your dryer should be serviced. If you think your dryer is behaving strangely, refuses to start or to run, or has a smell of overheating or burning, get advice from an accredited service agent.
For more information on energy safety this winter, take a look at the Energy Safety Service's website at www.ess.govt.nz |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
Contact this person
