Running your dryer at night or while you’re away may seem like a smart way to save time during the day, but experts warn that it can actually pose a serious safety risk to your home.
As someone who has been doing this for years, I was horrified to discover the dangers I had exposed my house to (not to mention my cats inside!) and it’s safe to say I will never do it again.
Running costs for dryer it can be cheaper overnight on certain energy tariffs, but the tips below show it’s just not worth the risk.
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Is it safe to run a dryer overnight?
No, it’s not considered safe to run a dryer at night (or when you’re not in the house, for that matter!)
According to Ian Palmer-Smith, an appliance repair expert at Domestic and generalyou should only use this appliance when you are nearby to observe it, as “most fires start and take hold when the damage goes unnoticed.”
Although many modern tumble dryers have automatic shut-off and temperature control devices to minimize the risk, Sunaree Ko, an electrical and fire safety expert at Firefighter trainingsays there’s always a risk of a fire breaking out, so it’s still not advisable to run them at night.
Ian Palmer-Smith is a supplier and director of heating services at Domestic & General and an expert in servicing and repairing domestic appliances with over 35 years’ professional experience.
Before establishing Fire Marshal Training in 2024, Sunaree worked as a fire safety instructor and fire risk assessment assistant.
How do I avoid dryer fires?
According to government fire statistics, 884 fires were caused by tumble dryers between 2021 and 2022, highlighting the importance of following the correct guidelines when using one.
Here are some ways you can reduce your risk when using a tumble dryer, according to Ian Palmer-Smith and Sunaree Ko:
1. Proper maintenance: It can be tempting to ignore your cluttered filter (I’m very guilty of this!) but you need to remove lint before each use. Moss is highly flammable and in some cases can cause the unit to overheat or catch fire if it reaches the dryer’s heating element.
2. Correct use: You should also avoid overloading your dryer with too many clothes or putting items in it that cannot be tumble dried.
3. Make sure there is someone in the house: Never use your tumble dryer unattended.
4. Check the ventilation hose: Ian also advises checking for moss buildup in the vent hose and removing it by following the steps below:
- Move your dryer away from the wall
- Make sure your dryer is turned off before disconnecting the hose
- Look inside it and remove all blockages
- Make sure the hose is free of kinks or kinks (this makes it harder for air to escape from your machine)
- Reinstall the hose
- Move the unit back (be careful not to crush the hose against the wall)
Note: This does not apply to condenser dryers.
Dryer vent cleaning kit
Compatible with all vacuums, this kit makes it easy to remove debris and lint from your dryer.
While there are some risks involved with using a tumble dryer, I certainly won’t be giving up my beloved appliance entirely – I’ll just make sure to give it the maintenance it needs and run it through the day instead.
If you found this helpful, you may also want to learn about the best ways to dry laundry indoors and what is a heat pump dryer.
