Home Appliance Fire

[TheOtherHalf]

Something on TV yesterday made me think about when I leave my washing machine or tumble tryer on when Im out shopping. There have been so many home fires caused by faulty appliances and some by buyers who continued using them not knowing there had been a recall on the product. Ive also heard about fridges catching fire during the night ! luckily, Ive never had anything like this happen to me and hope I never do. Has any Aber had an appliance fire and how did it affect you

[vodkancoke]

My friend lost her two dogs by leaving her dishwasher on when they went to bed. They woke up to the house on fire and sadly the two dogs died as they slept in the room off the kitchen. I switch everything off now when I go to bed and when I go out, although it's a bit difficult to switch off a fridge.

[rockyracoon]

The lady over the road had her dishwasher catch fire last year, the fire brigade came and said dishwashers were a big offender. I used to put mine on when I went to bed, not anymore.

[TheOtherHalf]

thats very sad. You always think it will never happen to you dont you. I do switch TV and all plugs off at night but I dont think I will leave washer or tumbler on when out again

[Robinia]

When my previous washing machine gave out I was told, had I not been there, it could have started a fire and I knew of someone whose garage was burnt out due to a tumble drier. The engineer told me never to leave a washer/drier unattended which I no longer do.

[bobbie22]

A few years ago, I was in the garden and the washing machine was going. When I went into the house, the machine was on fire. Luckily I was not far away. It gave me a fright, and now I would never leave any appliance on when i went out (apart from the fridge, which raises another question, as mentioned above)

[chaptazbru]

My Dad (a retired plumber) always says you should NEVER go out and leave an electrical appliance running in case of fire, so I never do!

[emmie]

i have occasionally, but i don't think i will from now on. By the way some of these fires have been caused by fridge freezers, which you obviously can't turn off...

[2sp_]

That's the think, em. You can be as careful as possible with your telly, washing machine and dishwasher but you can't switch of your fridge and freezer. What about electric alarm clocks? They really do need to be left plugged in overnight!

I suppose it's just a case of reducing risk.

[2sp_]

*thing*

[TheOtherHalf]

what about computers. I sometimes leave mine all all day when Im off work even though Im not always on it.

[albaqwerty]

a very good question about pc's and lappy's. But if they overheat, don't they just shut down or fan kicks in? Maybe they run at a different temperature so to speak?

[netibiza]

I couldn't believe that washing machines could catch fire until mine wouldn't work and Mr N had a look and it was all burnt out underneath, but I am lucky that my washer and dryer are in a little outhouse of their own, so floods and fires are OK, my dishwasher is out on the back patio, so same goes for that too, except that cannot use it in the rain!

[netibiza]

I have also been warned not to leave laptop plugged in with the battery connected as that can overheat and cause a fire, so I don't anymore.

[TheOtherHalf]

thanks all. I def wont be leaving anything on in the future, except bare necessities