Leaving Dryer ON When Not Home: Is it Safe?
No matter what the appliance is, it is very bad to leave the electric appliances ON when you are not at home. So you must never leave home when the dryer is ON.
Do you know a considerable percentage of house fires are caused by damaged electric appliances and short circuits? If you don’t know then, keep in mind that a lot of house fires are caused by electric appliances that were left ON without care.
On the other hand, to take care of your clothes and the washing machine, you must use the dryer with proper attention. So this article discusses everything you need to know about the safety of using washing machines.
Table of Contents
- What are the precautions when using a washing machine?
- Is leaving the dryer ON a fire hazard?
- Can a dryer overheat?
- Some related FAQs
What are the precautions when using a washing machine?
There are a lot of safety precautions that you must keep an eye on when using a washing machine, both for your own safety and for the safety of the machine. So what are those safety precautions?
- Doors have to be kept closed.
The front doors of the washing machine have to be kept closed at all times, both when it is working and when it is not working.
You may have seen some occasions where small children and pets get into the washing machines to play when no one is home. So to save them from being at risk, you must keep the doors closed.
- Do not let the coins and other hard materials enter the washing container.
There could be coins and some small, hard items in your pockets. So you must check the pockets twice before adding clothes to the washing machine. Hard material can damage the inside of the washing machine and even cause it to break down completely.
- Clean the washing machine regularly.
This is a must when you are using a washing machine or any kind of electric appliance. If you clean the washing machine, the area around the washing machine, and the plugs that bring electricity, you are in great shape for safety.
Make sure you spend some time weekly or monthly cleaning out the washing machine to prevent any problems that can come out due to uncleanliness.
- Don’t overload.
Overloading the washing machine can cause severe damage to its inner parts and a complete breakdown. So to avoid it, you must follow the instructions mentioned in the user manual of the machine.
- Never fix it on your own.
Never try to fix the appliance yourself. Repairs carried out by inexperienced or unqualified individuals run the risk of resulting in harm and/or necessitating more extensive repairs to the appliance.
- Provide the required voltage.
If this appliance is powered by a cord extension set or a portable electrical outlet, the cord extension set or portable electrical outlet must be placed so that it is not exposed to splashing or moisture intrusion. A cord extension set or portable electrical outlet device must also have a current rating appropriate for the appliance.
- Do not put lingerie inside the washing machine.
One reason is that your dryer’s high heat and washing machine’s agitation will harm delicate lingerie. Erratic underwires and hooks can snag and tear clothing, damage the interior of the washer and dryer, and also catch on to other objects. Always hand-wash lingerie or use a mesh bag to prevent tearing.
Can I run the washing machine empty?
Why not, you can run a washing machine empty or even with only water. But why? You must know why you are doing that.
For the long life of a washing machine, it is recommended to run the machine for some time with only water to clean the contents and the contaminated washing powders.
Is leaving the dryer ON a fire hazard?
Yes, absolutely. As mentioned above, leaving the dryer ON is a very bad habit and is very dangerous for you, your family, and your house. So if you do not have time to dry the clothes, then do it when you are free with enough time.
Although it might be difficult to imagine, dryer fires are a frequent cause of house fires.
In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that dryers and washing machines are responsible for 15,970 fires annually, with dryers accounting for 92% of those fires. Numerous injuries and $238 million in property damage are the unfortunate outcomes.
Can a dryer overheat?
Usually, an overheated dryer is to blame when it repeatedly stops during a normal drying cycle. Lint or other obstructions in the dryer vent will make the appliance work harder, resulting in overheating.
This is the main reason for not leaving the house when the dryer is working. When the dryer gets overheated, it will develop a rapid fire, which will be very harmful.
Can dryers explode?
Yes, even though the likelihood is extremely low, your dryer could still blow up. Given that they are attached to the gas line in your home, this is especially true of gas dryers.
With electric dryers, which don’t have any gas connections at all, it’s considerably less likely. In this scenario, an explosion could only occur if an explosive was placed inside the dryer.
Will a dryer stop working if it gets too hot?
The device uses a cycling thermostat as a means of self-defense against overheating. This part responds to the rising temperature when a dryer becomes too hot and turns the appliance off automatically.
But if a cycling thermostat isn’t working, that could be the reason a clothes dryer overheats and turns off. You must take off the dryer’s back panel in order to access, fix, or replace the thermostat.
How do you know if your dryer is overheating?
The dryer causing damage to your clothes is a sure sign that it’s too hot. If you take your clothes out of the dryer and they have burn marks on them, your dryer is operating at a dangerously high temperature. Your dryer being hot to the touch could be another sign that there is too much heat.
Some related FAQs
What does it mean when your dryer makes loud banging noise?
Replace the drive belt if it is worn. The drum rollers might be missing one or more of them.
In many dryers, the drum is supported by two rollers on the back, and in some dryers, the drum is supported by two additional rollers on the front. The dryer may make a loud rumbling noise when the drum rollers are worn out.
What makes a dryer stop working?
A dryer may stop operating due to a malfunctioning or damaged thermostat. The dryer can be made to function once more by changing the fuse or thermostat. Overheating that causes a thermal fuse to blow is a sign of additional issues, like inadequate ventilation.
Read also our guide: How to get pee smell out of dryer
Hi, I’m Anna Jeffery, an experienced author and cleaning expert. I strive to share my knowledge with everyone by writing useful guides and tips to keep their living and working spaces clean and healthy. I believe everyone deserves to live in a clean and organized environment, and I take pride in knowing that my articles are helping people achieve that goal. Stay tuned for practical and useful cleaning tips!
