# Is it safe to run the clothes dryer when you’re not home? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Is it safe to run the clothes dryer when you’re not home? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Is it safe to run the clothes dryer when you’re not home?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/run-dryer-when-not-home/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? 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By Casey Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Why do fire services warn against leaving a dryer running? 2. What does looking after a dryer involve? 3. Which warning signs mean I should get the dryer checked? 4. Who fixes a faulty dryer? 5. What to note before you call about a dryer fault 6. Frequently asked questions Fire services advise against running a clothes dryer when you are out of the house or asleep. Lint and heat build-up can start a fire, and a fire is far more dangerous when nobody is there to notice it early. Run the dryer while you are home and awake, and follow the maker’s manual. ## Why do fire services warn against leaving a dryer running? A dryer pushes a lot of hot air through damp fabric. Lint is made of loose fibres that dry out quickly and burn easily. If lint builds up or airflow is blocked, heat builds with it. Fire services in other states, including the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service, have issued public warnings about clothes dryer fires and advise against leaving a dryer running while nobody is home or awake. The advice is about timing, not about one brand or type of dryer. If something goes wrong while you are home, you are likely to notice a smell or smoke early. If you are out, a small problem has time to grow before anyone sees it. ## What does looking after a dryer involve? Every dryer comes with a manual, and that is your best guide for your particular model. It will explain how often to clear lint, how much space the dryer needs around it, what should and should not go in a load, and whether it has a vent or condenser that needs attention. Following it is ordinary appliance care, not electrical work. Most manuals share a few general ideas. Keep the area around the dryer clear of clutter and stored items. Leave out anything the maker says should not be dried. Do not use a dryer that looks damaged. If you have lost the paper manual, the maker usually publishes one online. Search for the make and model printed on the dryer’s label. Smoke, flames, sparks or a burning smell If you see flames, smoke or sparks, or smell burning, leave the building straight away with everyone in it, including children and pets, and call 000. Do not go back for belongings and do not use water on an appliance fire. If you notice a burning smell and cannot see the cause, stay away from the dryer and the power point it uses, and call a licensed electrician urgently. ## Which warning signs mean I should get the dryer checked? Look, but do not touch or open anything. These are all reasons to stop and get advice before the dryer is used again: - a burning or hot-plastic smell during or after a cycle - scorch marks or discolouration on the dryer, its cord, its plug or the power point - a cord or plug that is visibly damaged or melted - a dryer that repeatedly trips a circuit breaker or safety switch - unusual noises, or a dryer that runs much hotter than it used to Smoke alarms also matter in a home with a laundry. They give early warning if a fire does start, and Queensland has specific smoke alarm requirements for homes. ## Who fixes a faulty dryer? It depends on where the fault is. If the problem is the dryer itself, contact the manufacturer, the retailer or an authorised repairer. If the problem is the power point, the cord connection or the circuit behind it, that is electrical work. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. If you are not sure whether the fault is in the appliance or the wiring, a licensed electrician can tell you which it is. ## What to note before you call about a dryer fault 1. Write down what happened and when — Note the time, which part of the cycle it was in, and what you saw, heard or smelled. 2. Photograph what you can see — Take photos of any marks on the dryer, cord, plug or power point. Do not touch or move anything to get a better angle. 3. Find the make and model — The make, model and serial details are printed on a label on the dryer. Copy them down if you can see them without moving the machine. 4. Contact the right person — Contact the manufacturer or retailer about the dryer, or a licensed electrician about the power point or circuit. Tell them what you wrote down. ## Frequently asked questions - Fire services advise against running a dryer while you are asleep, for the same reason as when you are out: nobody is awake to notice smoke, a smell or heat early. - Fire services' warnings apply to clothes dryers generally. Your model's manual explains the care it needs, so follow it and ask the manufacturer if you have questions about your specific machine. - Stay away from it and keep children and pets back. If there is smoke or flame, leave and call 000. Otherwise contact the manufacturer or a licensed electrician before using it again. - Working smoke alarms give early warning of any fire in the home. Queensland has specific smoke alarm requirements, and a licensed electrician can advise on alarms in your home. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhat smoke alarms does Queensland require?Queensland needs photoelectric, interconnected smoke alarms in every home, with existing homes required to comply by 1 January 2027.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/queensland-smoke-alarm-requirements/) - [ElectricalSmoke alarm chirping or expired: what now?A chirping smoke alarm usually means a low battery or end of life; alarms are generally replaced after 10 years and hardwired ones need an electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/smoke-alarm-chirping-replace-queensland/) - [ElectricalHow do I know if my appliances are safe?Look for damage and warning signs, check recall notices and the RCM mark, and have secondhand items checked by a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/are-my-appliances-safe/) - [ElectricalBurning smell or hot power point: what to do right nowFor a burning smell, smoke, sparks or a hot power point, keep away; call 000 for fire or sparks and a licensed electrician urgently otherwise.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Why do fire services warn against leaving a dryer running? 2. What does looking after a dryer involve? 3. Which warning signs mean I should get the dryer checked? 4. Who fixes a faulty dryer? 5. What to note before you call about a dryer fault 6. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/run-dryer-when-not-home/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).