Dry, don’t fry

Winter means we use the clothes dryer more often and perhaps for items we would normally leave in the sun to dry, like runners the kids need for school tomorrow or Dad’s greasy overalls.

But while we all know that Fire Safety Rule Number One is to clean the lint filter, we don’t always think about the inherent danger in putting those runners or other flammable articles into the dryer in the first place.

Items that have been exposed to oil (or any flammable product) might still have some flammable residue even after washing and could ignite spontaneously, particularly when exposed to heat in the clothes dryer.

This includes tea towels or cloths that have been soiled with vegetable or cooking oils and clothes or towels which have been in contact with oils, waxes, dry cleaning solvents or products containing petroleum or alcohol (such as motor oil and hair-styling products).

Heavily soiled clothes should be washed in hot water with a washing powder designed to break down and remove the oils, before being placed in the dryer.

Likewise, never use the dryer to dry clothes that have not been washed, as unwashed clothes have a greater build-up of oils and grease. Lint from these clothes will be more combustible and can ignite when hot.

Items made using rubber such as pillows, tennis shoes, waterproof nappy covers or rubber-backed cloths can also catch fire, so keep them out of the dryer as well.

Before you next throw a load into the clothes dryer, take a moment to check what the items have been used for, and whether they might have flammable residue still on them.