Firefighters give warning about dishwasher fires

The latest incident took place in Copps Road, Leamington, on Saturday at about 1.30am when a couple were trapped in their apartment after a fire broke out due to an expected fault with the dishwasher.

Smoke alarms alerted the couple but the female occupant had to be rescued from the smoke-filled apartment by firefighters after her partner had escaped through the front window.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s station commander Jon Dixon said: “Unfortunately this is the third incident we have attended in recent months where a dishwasher has been the cause of the fire. In light of this I am urging residents not to leave appliances on when they leave the house or go to sleep at night as the risks are just too great.

“On this occasion, the apartment did have working smoke alarms. However, in a previous incident in Whitnash, there were no working smoke alarms in the property. This could have proved fatal had the resident not woken up to see the thick black smoke coming up through her bedroom door.

“It’s not all doom and gloom though, as these types of fires are easily preventable. A simple bedtime routing which includes switching off all electrical appliances at night will reduce the risk of having a fire in your home. “Equally, as highlighted in this incident, a working smoke alarm will give you the early warning you need and will save your life.”

If you are fitting a smoke detector in your home, then the following guidelines may help:

● Fit one smoke detector to each floor at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting

at ceiling level.

● Make sure your detector has the British Standard Kitemark on it.

● If you have only one smoke alarm, fit it in a place where it can be heard throughout your home - particularly when you are asleep.

● If you have a one-year smoke detector, test the battery once a week and change the battery annually.

● Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recommends 10-year tamper-free detectors fitted with push buttons. These are available from all DIY stores.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service provides a free home fire safety check service. To find out more click here or call 466282.