Electrical Is it safe to run the clothes dryer when you’re not home?
Fire services advise against leaving a clothes dryer running when you are out or asleep, so run it while you are home and awake.
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.
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
Write down what happened and when
Note the time, which part of the cycle it was in, and what you saw, heard or smelled.
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.
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.
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.
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