Fire services have issued a warning to anyone with a washing machine or a dishwasher in their kitchen.
Christmas is a busy time of year for our kitchens, indeed the entire house, as people stay home and settle in for the festive season.
As such, the kitchen is constantly abuzz with cooking food and cleaning, which can mean the dishwasher as well as other white goods like washing machines and tumble dryers are called into action more often than normal.
And with so much to do over Christmas, many households will try to save time, or even save money, by setting washing machines and dishwashers off overnight.
But fire services are warning households they must not use appliances while they’re in bed, due to the increased risk of burning the house down.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said in a warning posted to its official Facebook page: “Myth: running the dishwasher while you sleep is safe.
“Fact: Most white goods fires start when noone is watching.
“Tip: Only use dishwashers, tumble dryers and washing machines when you’re awake and at home. A fire is far more dangerous if it starts while you’re out or asleep.”
This is backed up by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
It warns that it’s a ‘misconception’ that it’s cheaper to run a dishwasher at night. It said: “There is often a misconception, which has recently been exacerbated by social media, that it is cheaper to use electricity during off peak night-time hours.
“For most households this is simply not the case, unless like the minority of homes you are on an off-peak or time-of-use tariff.
“If a fire breaks out during the night, the risk to life is always greater as it’s very likely people will be asleep and have less time to react and escape the property.”
Community Safety Officer Hannah Grostate took aim at dishwashers, as well as washing machines and tumble dryers. She said: “We understand that this is a financially challenging time, and we are all looking out for ways to save money, but it is important to also mitigate the risk of fire by following our simple safety advice.
“Please ensure that your appliances are not subject to a recall, that the cables are not damaged and it’s in good working order.
“Don’t be tempted to leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight or while you are out. They are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors.
“Products that are presenting any issues should be unplugged, and we recommend that you contact the retailer, manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.
“Finally, please make sure that you have a working smoke alarm on every floor in your home and know your exit plan in the event of a fire, it really could help to save your life.”
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