On the 1st May 2018, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service is launching a month-long campaign to remind people to take care when using white goods in their home.
In the last two years (during 2016 and 2017), the company has attended over 60 domestic property fires that have been caused by white goods, with almost half (29 out of 66) of these involving tumble dryers.
One of the key things that everyone should do as an precautionary measure is to register all appliances, so that due repairs or recalls can be carried out. The Register My appliance website allows items which are several years old to be registered and ensures the customers are notified if they are recalled or require a repair. Find out more at: https://www.registermyappliance.org.uk/.
The service also recommends following the manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation of appliances and maintenance.
Customers looking to purchase new appliances should consider if that deal online is too good to be true. The counterfeit goods industry is a big business and it’s easy to be taken in by cheap prices with many of the fake goods containing faulty or poor-quality parts that could pose a risk of fire or electrocution. People are advised to buy goods from a reputable retailer.
Some key safety tips for white goods include:
• Cleaning ovens so there isn’t a build-up of fat.
• Clearing out the fluff/lint tray on the tumble dryer after every use.
• Checking and cleaning filters on washing machines.
• Cleaning the rear of fridges and freezers and ensuring the drainage hole is clear.
• Never leaving tumble dryers or washing machines on when going out.
• Ensure that the smoke alarms or heat detectors are functional at all times.
• Think about the bedtime routine; turn off or unplug appliances that don’t need to be left on overnight, and ensure the doors are shut as this can stop fire from spreading and keep keys for doors and windows in an easily accessible place
• The service also recommends ensuring that there is an escape route in case a fire does break out.
As part of the month-long campaign, the company will be issuing advice and information on Twitter and Facebook and the staff will be providing advice outside white good retailers and distributing information through libraries and other locations.