Washing Machines - How to use them safely and effectively
According to a 2022 Statista report, in 2017, 98% of households owned washing machines. Despite their indisputable use, much like tumble dryers, many people have concerns regarding their safety, especially fire risk. Notably, in 2019, Whirlpool had to recall 519,000 machines sold between October 2014 – February 2018, as during that sales period 79 fires had been reported.
Whilst these fires were caused by faulty machines, it is still imperative that the machines are used correctly to ensure safety within homes. Below are the most important do’s and don’ts to use your washing machine safely and effectively.
DON’T leave your washing machine unsupervised whilst it is in a cycle, during the night or when you leave the house.
DON’T overload the machine.
DON’T wash bulky and large items such as duvets in your own machine, instead take them to the dry cleaners, as large items and loads can overwork the motor.
DO Clean the filter regularly.
DO ensure all pockets are empty before washing – especially focussing on coins and buckles that could weaken the glass and cause it to shatter due to the difference in extreme temperatures.
DO Ensure the machine is turned off when it is not being used!
If you believe there is a problem, DO unplug the machine immediately and contact a qualified technician or the manufacturer.
How else can you improve fire safety precautions? The Infoo App
As well as ensuring that Fire Risk Assessments are carried out, there are other ways to improve building safety. The Infoo app is a free app which allows users to easily access product recall information, allowing users to check if any of their appliances have ever been subjected to a recall notice due to faults. The Infoo app helps people mitigate against dangerous items that they may have otherwise not known about. As well as recall data, the app contains ‘how-to-guides’ and warranty information. You can download the app at: https://linktr.ee/infoo.app
