Tumble dryers, washing machines, fridges and freezers can all cause electrical fires. Here's what you need to know to stay safe.
Among these appliances, dishwashers stand out as a true time-saver, making dish-cleaning a breeze. However, as with any electrical device, there are potential risks associated with dishwashers, particularly the threat of fires due to wiring and control panel issues.
Dishwasher, Clothes dryer, Freezer, Refrigerator, Cooker (also known as Range, Stove, Oven, Cooking plate or Cooktop), Water heater, Washing machine, Trash compactor, Microwave, Air Conditioner.
As a source of high heat in the house, ovens and hobs are often found to be the cause of a household fire. This typically occurs when an oven has been left on and unattended, or if oil is spilled within the appliance and isn't properly cleaned.
Lots of people think it will never happen to them, but we attend around 115 fires each year caused by domestic appliances. That's about two every week. If your tumble dryer, washing machine or dishwasher starts a fire at night – the fire may have more time to develop before you're aware of it.
Electric dryers catch fire often because they are designed to heat up quickly, so they overheat easily. They also have a fan that sometimes can blow hot air into the room.
White goods and fire safety.
Tumble dryers, washing machines, fridges and freezers can all cause electrical fires.
top 10 causes of washing machine fires.
Blocked drain pumps can cause overheating. Overloaded machines can vibrate, short circuiting the electrics, which is a fire hazard. Faulty electrical connections on the circuit board can cause overheating. Frayed electrical cords can throw sparks and start a fire.
Ranges and Stoves. With cooking as the most common cause of house fires in the US, ranges and stoves are at the top of the list for fire-starting appliances. These essential appliances can become hazards mainly due to unattended use.
Fridges automatically cycle on and off for years, and parts undergo wear and tear. Worn-out compressors and relay switches are the primary causes of refrigerators catching fire.
'White goods' is a term used to refer to fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machines and dishwashers. In total they make up nearly half of all the electronic equipment we throw away. Appliances such as fridges contain CFCs and so they must be removed safely.
White goods are large domestic appliances that are generally not easy to transport, which separates them from appliances like toasters and kettles. Examples of a common white goods include fridges, freezers, microwave ovens, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes dryers and air conditioners.
Thousands of Kenmore, Maytag, Kitchen Aid, Bosch, and Whirlpool dishwashers have been recalled for fire risks. But it involves only models sold from the late 1990's up through 2010.
General safety
Don't leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight or while you are out.
Drain cleaners and disinfectants all contain chemicals that can be combustible if not stored correctly. If you have cleaning products stored on your premises, never allow these liquids to come into contact with an ignition source.
Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines recalled due to fire risk.
Major appliances, also known as white goods, comprise major household appliances and may include: air conditioners, dishwashers, clothes dryers, drying cabinets, freezers, refrigerators, kitchen stoves, water heaters, washing machines, trash compactors, microwave ovens, and induction cookers.
Dishwashers – Dishwashers are the second most common source of a kitchen fire caused by non-cooking appliances. Dishwashers combine electronics and heating elements with water, which is the perfect environment for electric fires to begin.
What may be shocking to some is that 'washing machines' came in 6th, being responsible for over 600 fires in 2019/20.
Can a dryer catch on fire even when it's off? Problems in the dryer's electrical system can cause wiring and components to short or spark after it's turned off. Lint buildup can result in filters overheating and igniting the material even after the dryer is turned off.
A fire hazard is anything that can start a fire, such as ignition sources or combustible materials. Consider: electrical equipment. smoking.
Dryer fire hazards typically originate from two places, dryer venting and the lint trap. More than one-third of the fires are attributed to a failure to clean and perform routine maintenance. This means that many of these fires are preventable.
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.
Cooking. Unattended cooking is listed as the number one cause of residential fires.