- Households urged to take care when cleaning electric blankets, air fryers, tumble dryers and extractor fans
- Common mistakes, some promoted online, can risk electric shock and fire
Experts are warning households turning their attention to spring cleaning that common mistakes with everyday household gadgets could put them at risk of electric shock and fire.
Experts at consumer safety charity, Electrical Safety First, are urging Brits to avoid mistakes when cleaning electric blankets, air fryers, tumble dryers and extractor fans.
As winter bedding is packed away, experts are warning that electric blankets require particular care.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Never wash an electric blanket, unless the manufacturer’s instructions confirm it is machine washable. If your blanket is suitable for machine washing, always disconnect and remove any detachable controls before cleaning and make sure the blanket is dry before reconnecting it to the power supply.”
Households are also urged to avoid dry cleaning their blanket unless the care label explicitly states it is safe to do so, as harsh chemicals can damage the internal wiring and heating elements. Before storing electric blankets away, experts recommend checking for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed wires, scorch marks, or loose connections, all of which can increase the risk of a fire.
The popularity of air fryers has soared in recent years, becoming the go-to kitchen gadget for millions. However, viral online TikTok ‘cleaning hacks’ that see users fill their device’s basket with water and soap before turning the device on could put themselves and their family at risk of electric shock and fire.
“Never fill the basket of air fryer with water and turn the device on,” Giuseppe Capanna warns. “Running an air fryer with water in it can damage the appliance and risk causing a fire due to the shorting of electrical components and risk electric shock.”
Electrical Safety First recommends protecting your home and family by cleaning your device regularly to prevent grease build-up and reduce the risk of a fire but warns it’s important that you unplug the device and allow it to cool before cleaning.
Tumble dryers
Tumble dryer fires have increased in the last year, with 471 accidental electrical fires involving tumble dryers recorded across England alone, the equivalent of more than nine every week.
One cause of tumble dryer fires can be the build-up of lint over time, which can become flammable and ignite.
Giuseppe Capanna adds: “Tumble dryer fires have increased over the last year, but there are simple steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk of a fire. Lint builds up in your appliance’s filter over time which can be very flammable. Get into the habit of cleaning your lint filter after each use. Some tumble dryers may have more than one filter too, so check the instructions of your appliance to make sure you’re cleaning them all.”
Extractor fans
One of the lesser-known causes of fires in the home is the extractor fan. Accidental electric fires involving extractor fans have increased by 8% in the last year alone, accounting for more than 150 fires across England.
Giuseppe Capanna said: “We can often overlook extractor fans when it comes to cleaning, but they can be susceptible to a build-up of dust and grease over time. Always turn off the fan at the isolator switch or mains before you do any cleaning, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and make sure you have a residual current device (RCD) fitted as this can provide vital protection from electric shock.”
ENDS