Yahoo News Britons urged to clean tumble dryer filters to prevent 'devastating' fires
Households have been urged to clean tumble dryer filters in an effort to prevent serious fires from breaking out.
There have been 3,200 tumble dryer fires in England over the past five years, according to new research from Admiral Home Insurance and Electrical Safety First.
Tumble dryers catching alight account for a large number of appliance fires, according to the research.
Admiral found that the equivalent of two million people across the whole of the UK never clean their lint filter in the appliance – putting homes and lives at risk.
Product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, Giuseppe Capanna, explained: “Forgetting to clean your lint filter isn’t just potentially costly, it could put you and your home at risk.
“Lint is very flammable, and an excessive build-up could cause a fire that not only causes severe damage to your home but also puts you and your family’s life at risk.”
The figures suggested that just one in 12 admitted to cleaning the filter once a year or less.
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.”
Capanna added: “One of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of a tumble dryer fire is to clean your lint filter after every use.
“Get into the habit of cleaning your lint filter after every use to prevent a build-up of lint and fluff, 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.”
Top 10 cities where tumble dryer owners admit to never cleaning their lint filters:
Plymouth: 8.80%
Manchester: 8.80%
Southampton: 8.56%
Bristol: 8.42%
Nottingham: 6.92%
Newcastle: 6.19%
Belfast: 5.73%
Glasgow: 5.15%
Sheffield: 4.29%
Liverpool: 4.23%
How to clean a tumble dryer filter
Cleaning the filter in a tumble dryer, which should be done after every use, is a simple process that involves cloth, a brush and a vacuum cleaner.
Once the appliance has cooled down completely, locate the filter – usually found inside the door rim or behind a panel at the front – and use the b rush to remove as much lint as you can.
Use a damp cloth to mop up any pieces still there and then use a vacuum clean in the filter and lint trap to make it as clean – and as safe – as possible.
