Firefighters recommend registering appliances following tumble dryer fire

Firefighters were called to York Road in North Weald Bassett this afternoon after a tumble dryer caused a fire.

On arrival, crews reported that the ground floor of a house was 100% smoke logged and smoke was filling the rest of the property.

Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the house and extinguished a tumble dryer fire by 2:47pm.

A man was given oxygen therapy by firefighters at the scene after suffering smoke inhalation.

The house has been left uninhabitable after an electrical fault in the tumble dryer.

Watch Manager John Warmann from Harlow Fire Station said: “We recommend that residents register appliances they have at home through Register My Appliance.

“It’s a free scheme that you can sign up to and be the first to hear about known faults and recalls.

“You can register appliances like fridges, washing machines and tumble dryers as well as smaller appliances. You can register old and new appliances - they can be up to 12 years old and you can register second hand appliances.

“Registering your appliances is a quick and easy way to help keep your family safe. It only takes a few minutes to register. To register your appliances, visit: www.registermyappliance.org.uk/registration/.”

When using a tumble dryer, Essex County we recommend the following safety advice:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
• Make sure you register your appliances as soon as possible
• Don’t use tumble dryers at night or while unattended
• Clean the filters after each use to ensure they do not become blocked with fluff
• Items should be removed from the dryer immediately after the cycle and shaken loose to assist cooling
• Make sure that the appliance has its own plug socket. Do not overload extension leads, and make sure that no more than 13 amps are in any one plug socket

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Firefighters from Epping Fire Station are on-call firefighters, who all live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and attend incidents.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter and be paid to protect your community.

Find out more about the role at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call