11 June 2010

You really do need to clean out that lint filter

| johnboy
Join the conversation
17

The firies are always banging on about the need to clean out the lint filter in your clothes dryer. But do we ever hear of these things actually starting a fire?

Well today we do with this from the ESA:

10:30am Friday 11 June 2010 – Update on fire at Bruce Fire was in the middle appartment of a three level complex. It was contained to the room of origin.

Appartment has smoke, fire and water damage.

Fire started in a tumble-dryer.

A functioning smoke alarm was activated and alerted two occupants who safely evacuated.

Time of Emergency Triple Zero (000) call 9.42am.

ACT Fire Brigade crews are on scene conducting ventilation activities in preparation for air monitoring.

So what are we going to do when we get home boys and girls?

Join the conversation

17
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

p1 said :

Because I have my Dryer upside down near the roof, every time the door is opened, the lint filter falls out on your head. So it gets cleaned regularly.

thats actually quite s good safety feature!

The comment about people putting petrol in the washing machine was both hilarious and terrifying…

cleo said :

Sometimes you need to use the dryer, as clothes don’t always dry when put on the line in winter, I only use the dryer for five to ten minutes to completely dry clothes

I lived in Canberra for 26 winters, including nine of my school years, without a dryer and never encountered these problems. And before you ask, yes, I do wash my clothes regularly. All you need to do is plan a few days ahead. Problem solved.

My washing machine has a warning on the lid not to use petrol within it – I thought it was really wierd advice.

liability said :

putting petrol in the wasing machines to get the grease and oil off their work clothes. Ka Boom!!

OH – what a gem!

I had a friend whose dryer caught fire and when I told her she needed to regularly clean the lint filter she told me she’d thrown it away years ago because it kept getting clogged up with lint.

It happened in my complex a few months ago. Young couple with a baby went out and left the dryer on. They came back to find the firies hacking their way into their unit while all the neighbours looked on in horror.

It was the dreaded clogged up lint filter that did it. Lucky they had a neighbour who heard their smoke alarm.

they have a lint filter ? ill tell my wife !

Sometimes you need to use the dryer, as clothes don’t always dry when put on the line in winter, I only use the dryer for five to ten minutes to completely dry clothes

My father was a prefessional firefighter [District Officer NSW Fire Brigade] before he retired nearly 20 years ago. He said he could count on one hand the number of fires he attended during his 30 year career that were sourced back to a clothes dryer.

On the other hand, he recokoned one of the most common cause of house fires in his time [he was a stationed in western Sydney] was from people, usually labourers to whom English was a second language, putting petrol in the wasing machines to get the grease and oil off their work clothes. Ka Boom!!

glennmatthew5:55 pm 11 Jun 10

Oh oh oh. I use my dryer like, oh, constantly. And I live in Bruce in a three level complex.

I’m still not changing my lint filter though, my housemate can do it.

Hells_Bells742:26 pm 11 Jun 10

If you don’t keep heating going overnight in Winter, you quite often still find uniforms wet in the morning on racks. Jeans can be a real prick for a night out or teen who needs them in a hurry. Towels are scrumptious.

Yes, I use my dryer far too much.

indigoid said :

Who the hell uses dryers anyway? FTLOG, have you people not heard of a drying rack (I use one of these, living in an apartment. Ikea has one, very good), or, heaven forbid, the trusty old Hills Hoist?

We hang most stuff outside, lots of stuff inside (two drying racks, plus coat hangers) but sometimes you just want to get your comfy trackies dry and warm so you can curl up on the couch.

p1 said :

Wraith said :

So what are we going to do when we get home boys and girls?

Drink beer

OK. An anonymous person on the internets saying I should is reason enough for me.

Cheers

Who the hell uses dryers anyway? FTLOG, have you people not heard of a drying rack (I use one of these, living in an apartment. Ikea has one, very good), or, heaven forbid, the trusty old Hills Hoist?

Sorry Johnboy, it’s Friday night so I don’t really know when I’m getting home or what I’m doing when I get there. Can you ask an easier one please.

Wraith said :

So what are we going to do when we get home boys and girls?

Drink beer

OK. An anonymous person on the internets saying I should is reason enough for me.

So what are we going to do when we get home boys and girls?

Drink beer

Because I have my Dryer upside down near the roof, every time the door is opened, the lint filter falls out on your head. So it gets cleaned regularly.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.