Safety share - June 2008

Appliances such as clothes dryers can be handy during winter. However misuse, faulty wiring and leaving them unattended can lead to fires and potential tragedy. To prevent a clothes dryer fire in your home, you can try:

• Following the manufacturer’s instructions, especially with installation
• Cleaning the lint filter after every load
• Turning the dryer off when you leave the house
• Making sure each load goes through a full cycle, giving the dryer an opportunity to cool down
• Making sure the area where the clothes dryer is being used is well ventilated
• Regularly dusting the grill at the back of the clothes dryer to prevent dust build up and overheating

• Not overloading your clothes dryer
• Not putting dripping wet clothes into a dryer
• Not placing clothes or other items on or around the clothes dryer
• Not overloading power points in the laundry
• Not using the dryer if it is making unusual noises, for example rubbing / grinding sounds, or if the timer is not functioning properly.