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If you read our last blog you’ll know that over 50% of house fires start in the kitchen. This can be due to a number of reasons and faulty electrical appliances are just one of the causes. Do you have any idea which electrical appliance is most likely to catch fire though? We’re going to name and shame the top three culprits according to a survey compiled by Which consumer magazine, read this and get ready for a shock.

In reverse order, the top three appliances likely to cause a kitchen fire are:

3. – Dishwasher

It cleans your dishes, leaves plates sparkling and removes food waste from cups and cutlery too. Rather worryingly the domestic dishwasher was also voted into third place as a fire risk appliance in 2013, with 11 per cent of product fault fires caused by this type of equipment. It might save your hands from getting crinkly but the dishwasher is hiding a dark secret.

2. – Tumble dryer

Having a tumble dryer is a blessing especially during the winter months when it’s impossible dry your clothes outside. In fires caused by product faults though the tumble dryer was the prime suspect in 12 per cent of cases. Equipment of this nature does tend to get hot and it’s also run for prolonged periods of time making it a genuine fire risk.

1. – Washing machine  

It washes your clothes and it gets filled with water so how on earth can the washing machine be a fire risk in the kitchen? Read the report by Which and it claims over 14 per cent of product fault fires are caused by the humble washing machine and this is startling news. Forget toasters, sandwich makers or microwave ovens, a washing machine is one of the biggest fire risks in your kitchen.

Of course, there could be a number of factors that cause appliances to catch fire including shoddy installation, socket overloading or poor maintenance. It gives you plenty of food for thought though and it should spur you on to give your fire safety equipment an overhaul if you hadn’t done so for while.

Feel free to contact us at RAD Fire should you require an informal chat.