Businesses and homes issued with tumble dryer fire warning

We are issuing businesses and the public with safety advice to prevent fires involving tumble dryers following recent incidents in Staffordshire.

Chemical residue, grease and oil can ignite when items such as kitchen tea towels and staff uniforms are not removed from machines following the drying cycle, or are folded into piles.

Poor maintenance of tumble dryers is also a factor.

We have recently tackled several fires involving laundry.

On Monday 8 July, we were called to reports of a fire inside a restaurant at the Greenway Hall Golf Club, on Stanley Road, in Stockton Brook, Stoke-on-Trent.

A number of crews went to the scene to tackle to the fire. No-one was injured.

Fire investigators determined that the fire was caused by cloths igniting after being tumble dried.

Prevent and protect lead, Ian Read, said: “We are asking businesses and homes that process large volumes of washing to take a few simple steps to help prevent accidental laundry fires across the county.

“Measures include always allowing the dryer to go through its ‘cool down’ cycle before unloading and ensuring that laundry is left to air and cool properly before it’s stored.

“Washing laundry at a lower temperature, or using less washing powder, may also seem more economical but this can lead to chemical residue, grease and oils not being removed properly creating a fire hazard.”

Other precautions to take to prevent laundry fires:

• Ensure wash temperatures and detergents are suitable for removing oil-based contaminants.

• If possible, dry tea towels on a washing line, rather than in a tumble dryer.

• Shake out laundry to ventilate and allow laundered items to cool.

• Clean filters, remove fluff, lint and debris from dryers and keep them regularly maintained.

• Don’t leave laundry in a tumble dryer overnight.

• Don’t place warm, damp laundry in polythene bags, combustible containers, or baskets, or in poorly ventilated areas.