Warning over tumble dryer fire risk as clothes can ignite hours after being removed from machines

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Homeowners and business owners have been warned of a fire risk from tumble dryers.
Insurer Aviva said it is seeing a spike in claims for fires associated with dryers – with some cases of clothes spontaneously igniting after being taken out of tumble dryers.

It warned users that dryers can pose a serious fire hazard when not used or maintained properly either in the home or on a business premises.

Aviva said that after a number of fire claims from households and business customers, a forensic investigation ­report found that the cause of the fires was as a direct result of non-compliance with the safety guidelines around the use of dryers.

Senior loss adjuster at Aviva Insurance Gillian Devereux said the frequency of use of tumble dryers has increased in recent months due to the wintry conditions, with heavy rain and storms.

“Unfortunately, tumble dryers can pose a serious fire risk if they are not used correctly,” she said.