Clothes (or tumble) dryers are fantastic when you want to dry something quickly. However, these handy appliances aren't always safe. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that washers and dryers cause an average of 15,970 house fires a year in America, while in Britain, there were 2,661 tumble dryer fires between 2014 and 2019.

That’s because these machines contain a powerful motor, with fast-moving parts that get very hot. Add to this a build-up of fluff, and your machine can soon ignite. It’s recommended that you regularly clean the lint filter within the dryer, and if yours is old or showing signs of wear, it might be time to replace it.

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