In some rare cases, excess fluff can come into contact with the heating element and present a risk of fire. The affected brands are Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda.
More than 600 models of vented and condenser tumble dryers by Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline made between 2004 and 2015 could be affected.
Culprit #1: Lint.
Lint is the leading cause of dryer fires. It's highly flammable, and it's everywhere. Lint naturally accumulates in your dryer and dryer exhaust system. This buildup makes the dryer work harder for each load and the lint can work its way into the heating element, which is bad news.
Clothes dryer fires are more common than you might think. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires each year, with dryers causing 92% of them and an average of $200 million in property damage.
It is not recommended to leave a dryer running at night or when you are not at home. The risks of fire and overheating are too high, even though it does not happen very often. It is always better to be present when using household appliances that could pose a potential risk.
The main cause of electric dryer fires is overheating.
If you use your dryer for too long, or if you leave the door open while drying clothes, then you could end up with a fire. Electric dryers catch fire often because they are designed to heat up quickly, so they overheat easily.
It's always best to empty and ventilate the machine, leaving the door open after a cycle. This way, residual moisture can escape. Even if the load has entirely dried, leaving clothes to sit in your dryer will encourage wrinkles, so you may need to spend more time ironing as a consequence.
Whirlpool Tumble Dryer Recall Program July 2019 Recall
Whirlpool is recalling tumbler dryers sold under the Hotpoint, Indesit, Swan, Creda and Proline brands sold between 2004 and 2015.
If you're looking for a washer and dryer that will last a long time, Samsung is right up there with LG and Whirlpool in terms of longevity. Like Maytag, Samsung appliances typically require fewer repairs.
Tumble dryers
In June, the government said it would issue a recall notice of up to 500,000 dryers that were at risk of catching fire. By July, Whirlpool admitted the number of defective dryers was closer to 800,000. As of September, 65,000 fire-prone tumble dryers have been found.
Tumble Dryer Safety
To register all your appliances, regardless of age, visit our Product Registration page. Use our free online checker to see if your tumble dryer or any other electrical items have been recalled. If you're concerned about fitting a new tumble dryer yourself, ask a qualified electrician.
Yes, run one cycle empty so the dryer can "burn" off and out gases from the materials, as these may get into the first load of clothes.
Keep an eye out for any scorching or burn marks, including checking any visible electrical wires. Don't leave appliances unattended – don't turn the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that can get very hot.
Broken door switch
The door switch prevents the dryer from running unless the door is completely latched. If your dryer doesn't stop running when you open the door, this component may be the problem. First, inspect the door switch for any physical damage. If it appears broken, it will need to be replaced.
Additionally, you may notice a burning smell, or notice that your clothes and the outside of the dryer are too hot. If you notice any of these symptoms, or suspect that the airflow may be obstructed, stop the dryer immediately, unplug it, and check the duct and vent when they have had a chance to cool.
Clean, clean, clean: Keeping things tidy is one of the best ways to help prevent dryer fires. Remove lint from the filter before and after each load of laundry, and clean it with a nylon brush every six months (or more often if it becomes clogged). Also clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
Generally, tumble dryers are safe products to use. The advice which Whirlpool give is good, general tumble dryer safety advice. Cleaning the filter after every use prevents fluff from building up and potentially combusting as it's heated. And you should never leave any appliance running unattended or overnight anyway.
While it's best practice to place your garments in the dryer or on the clothesline right after the cycle finishes, it's perfectly okay to leave your wet clothes in the washer overnight, Martha says. "I mean, don't leave it for a long time—don't leave it for a week," she says.
A clogged dryer vent can smell a few different ways depending on the operational state of the dryer. If the dryer is on, it can smell like something is on fire. This usually means that the lint is dry and starting to burn slightly. Other common smells include the concentrated smell of fabric softener or a musty odor.