Tumble dryer fire safety advice

Some simple fire safety tips for the safe use of tumble dryers:

• Remove the lint from the trap after every load of clothes dried

• Do not cover the vent or any other opening

• Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not crushed in any way

• Only used recommended vent pipes, and not improvised ones

• Only vent the warm air to the outside of a building

• Do not put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids.

Signs that your tumble dryer is not properly ventilated

• Clothes take a very long time to dry, especially heavy articles of clothing such as towels or jeans

• Clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle

• The flapper on the vent hood remains closed when the dryer is on

General safety advice

• Have a working smoke alarm on each floor level of your home

• Check that your smoke alarms are working (check them each week)

• Discuss and agree with your family what to do if there is a fire - plan an escape route

Register your electrical appliances for a safer home

Only 36% of consumers register all of their large domestic appliances.

Register my appliance (opens in new window)

The Register my appliance website is designed to make it quicker and easier for the public to register all of their appliances. It provides up-to-date, accurate, contact information for owners who have acquired specific models of appliances within the last twelve years, so manufacturers can issue safety updates or repair notifications to the right homes. The website provides access to the registration pages of over 40 leading brands of domestic appliances, including most of the UK’s top selling brands of major white goods.

You can also check if any of your electrical goods have been recalled (opens in new window)

Carry out your own home safety check

Complete our online home safety check and you will get a personalised fire safety plan, which will offer advice on how to prevent fires in your home.

Do the online home safety check

Book a home safety check

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service will fit free smoke alarms for people who are aged over 65 and for people who are referred to us by partner agencies because they are considered to be at a particular risk.

If you are over 65 years of age and you live in Cheshire, you can arrange for a Firefighter or a Community Safety Advocate to visit your home for a free home safety visit. During the home safety visit advice will be given on how to make your home safer, what to do in the event of a fire and what to do if you are trapped by a fire. Free smoke alarms will also be fitted (if needed) with an explanation on how to maintain them correctly.

Book a home safety visit for over 65’s

Last updated: Tuesday 28 July 2020