Safety experts have issued an urgent warning to Brits to clean their tumble dryer filters in a bid to reduce the number of fires, with millions of homes at risk.
According to research, only one in 12 people (8%) clean their lint filter just once a year of less, while one in 20 admit to never cleaning them, leaving them at risk of fires with devastating consequences.
Now Brits are being urged to clean their lint filters as part of their spring cleaning, after new financial figures revealed how costly tumble dryer fires can be. Figures from Admiral Home Insurance found the average claim for a tumble dryer fire over the past three years cost an eyewatering £25,000.
Luckily, you can act now to reduce your risk by cleaning your filter. Lesley Rudd, chief executive of Electrical Safety First, told us: "Mirror readers could spare themselves the horror of a home fire and keep cash in their pocket in just a few seconds by cleaning the lint filter in their tumble dryer.
"It may sound obvious but tumble dryers cause hundreds of fires a year. With spring in the air, there's no better time to add your tumble dryers fluff filter to your spring cleaning list.
"When fires start from these devices, they not only cause immense fire damage, but also smoke damage that can set you back thousands of pounds in a few short seconds. Get into the habit of cleaning your filter after every cycle – it could save your life."
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, recommends getting into the habit of cleaning your lint filter after every use "to prevent a build-up of lint and fluff".
He also advises to "avoid powering them by extension leads which can be overloaded and, where practically possible, avoid leaving it on whilst out of the house, especially overnight".
The charity also urges households to ensure they have working smoke alarms on every floor their home.
Claire Charlton, head of household claims at Admiral, said: "A fire that starts in a tumble dryer can be devastating. If the fire spreads, it can result in thousands of pounds of damage. Nobody wants to see their home ruined by a fire, so taking some time to ensure you clean your lint filter regularly can prevent heartbreak further down the line."
Below are guidelines for safe use and maintenance of your tumble dryer:
- Register all appliances with the manufacturer for easy safety recall contact
- Check for recalls using Electrical Safety First’s online portal
- Clean the lint filter after every use
- Read the manufacturer's instructions; other parts of the appliance may also need to be cleaned periodically
- Check for scorching/burn marks and loose or worn wires
- Avoid overloading and take large items to dry-cleaners
- Allow all drying programs to complete fully
- Do not stop the dryer mid-cycle unless removing items quickly and leaving the door open
- Do not put clothes contaminated with combustible substances in the dryer
- Where possible, avoid leaving appliances on overnight and unplug or switch off when going out
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