Fire warning over oily towels and clothing in dryers

The warning comes after several recent incidents where clothing and towels from spas and restaurants were washed at too low a temperature leaving behind oil residues. The items were then placed inside a tumble dryer where the heat caused the oils to combust, setting fire to the materials and causing a fire inside the drum of the dryer.

Safety tips include ensuring wash temperatures and detergents are suitable for the optimum removal of oil-based contaminants; allowing laundry to complete the cooling cycle in the tumble dryer, shaking out laundry to ventilate before folding; ensuring stack or pile is well ventilated; and that you have a smoke alarm on each floor of your premises and that it is test regularly.

For further safety advice on how to keep kitchen appliances safe, visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk