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To minimize the risk of fire in a tumble dryer, the following should be observed:
• Items that have been spotted or soaked with vegetable or cooking oil constitute a fire
hazard and should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Oil-affected items can ignite spontaneously, especially when exposed to heat sources
Such as in a tumble dryer. The items become warm, causing an oxidation reaction in the
oil. Oxidation creates heat. If the heat cannot escape, the items can become hot enough
to catch fire. Piling, stacking or storing oil-affected items can prevent heat from escaping
and so create a fire hazard.
If it is unavoidable that fabrics that contain vegetable or cooking oil or have been
contaminated by hair care products be placed in a tumble dryer they should first be
washed in hot water with extra detergent-this will reduce, but not eliminate, the hazard.
Washed in hot water with extra detergent-this will reduce, but not eliminate, the hazard.
The ‘cool down’ cycle of tumble dryers should be used to reduce the temperature of the
items. They should not be removed from the tumble dryer or piled or stacked while hot.
• Items that have been previously cleaned in, washed in, soaked in or spotted with
petrol/gasoline, dry-cleaning solvents or other flammable or explosive substances should
not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Highly flammable substances commonly used in domestic environments include acetone,
denatured alcohol, petrol/gasoline, kerosene, spot removers (some brands), turpentine,
waxes and was removers.
• Items containing foam rubber (also known as latex foam) or similarly testured rubber. like
materials should not be dried in a tumble dryer on a heat setting. Foam rubber materials
can, when heated, produce fire by spontaneous combustion.
• Fabric softeners or similar products should not be used in a tumble dryer to eliminate the
effects of static electricity unless this practice is specifically recommended by the
manufacturer of the fabric softener or product.
• Undergarments that contain metal reinforcements should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Damage to the tumble dryer can result if metal reinforcements come loose during drying.
When available a drying rack could be used for such items.
• Plastic articles such as shower caps or babies waterproof napkin covers should not be
placed in a tumble dryer.
• Rubber-backed articles, clothes fitted with foam rubber pads, pillows, galoshes and
rubber-coated tennis shoes should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Important safety instructions
WARNING
