'Don't run appliances at night': Mum shares harrowing experience with one kitchen staple
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The convenience of modern appliances has become a staple in Australian households.
It offers the luxury of saving time and effort in daily errands and chores.
However, a chilling incident brought to light a hidden danger that many homeowners could overlook: household appliances catching fire.
Mum-of-two Simone Anderson shared her experience and recounted how a seemingly harmless household habit turned into a nightmare.
Simone had the habit of running her dishwasher before going to bed.
However, on one fateful night, this routine act led to a life-threatening situation for her and her family.
After an hour of turning her dishwasher on, she heard their fire alarm downstairs.
'I immediately woke my husband up, who ran downstairs to investigate. He found our entire dishwasher engulfed in flames and the house quickly filling with smoke,' Simone said.
'He ran upstairs to tell me that we needed to get the kids and get out.'
After the firefighters' arrival, the Andersons found out the cause of the fire.
'Our dishwasher was here when we bought this house. We thought it was new, but with research, we learned it was about ten years old,' Simone shared.
The incident has sparked a vital warning against running dishwashers and other appliances at night.
Simone urged other homeowners to reconsider if they have similar habits.
'Don't run appliances at night. It's not worth the risk.'
The Anderson family's incident is not an isolated issue.
Home appliances, including dishwashers and tumble dryers, are among the leading causes of house fires in Australia.
Earlier this year, a mum from Ipswich experienced a similar scare when her dishwasher caught fire during a late-night cycle.
In another case, NSW firefighters responded to a fire in South Windsor, which also started because of a dishwasher.
These alarming events underscore the importance of vigilance at home.
An average of 21 Australians lose their lives to house fires annually, with winter being the peak season for such disasters.
NSW Fire and Rescue (FRNSW) reportedly attended an average of 1,230 house fires annually, which also resulted in approximately 576 injuries.
Half of these fires originated in the kitchen, with cooktops and dishwashers often at fault.
FRNSW South-West Zone Commander Greg Wright emphasised the need for extra caution in the kitchen.
Residents were advised to install at least one working smoke alarm in their homes.
Regular maintenance and checks of household appliances are also crucial.
Lastly, avoid running unattended appliances, especially overnight.
Have you experienced a close call with a home appliance? How do you keep your homes safe from any fire hazards? Share your insights with the community in the comments section below.
It offers the luxury of saving time and effort in daily errands and chores.
However, a chilling incident brought to light a hidden danger that many homeowners could overlook: household appliances catching fire.
Mum-of-two Simone Anderson shared her experience and recounted how a seemingly harmless household habit turned into a nightmare.
Simone had the habit of running her dishwasher before going to bed.
However, on one fateful night, this routine act led to a life-threatening situation for her and her family.
After an hour of turning her dishwasher on, she heard their fire alarm downstairs.
'I immediately woke my husband up, who ran downstairs to investigate. He found our entire dishwasher engulfed in flames and the house quickly filling with smoke,' Simone said.
'He ran upstairs to tell me that we needed to get the kids and get out.'
Homeowner Simone Anderson warned about using dishwashers overnight, after their home caught fire for running one overnight. Image Credit: Pexels/Cottonbro Studio
After the firefighters' arrival, the Andersons found out the cause of the fire.
'Our dishwasher was here when we bought this house. We thought it was new, but with research, we learned it was about ten years old,' Simone shared.
The incident has sparked a vital warning against running dishwashers and other appliances at night.
Simone urged other homeowners to reconsider if they have similar habits.
'Don't run appliances at night. It's not worth the risk.'
The Anderson family's incident is not an isolated issue.
Home appliances, including dishwashers and tumble dryers, are among the leading causes of house fires in Australia.
Earlier this year, a mum from Ipswich experienced a similar scare when her dishwasher caught fire during a late-night cycle.
In another case, NSW firefighters responded to a fire in South Windsor, which also started because of a dishwasher.
These alarming events underscore the importance of vigilance at home.
An average of 21 Australians lose their lives to house fires annually, with winter being the peak season for such disasters.
NSW Fire and Rescue (FRNSW) reportedly attended an average of 1,230 house fires annually, which also resulted in approximately 576 injuries.
Half of these fires originated in the kitchen, with cooktops and dishwashers often at fault.
FRNSW South-West Zone Commander Greg Wright emphasised the need for extra caution in the kitchen.
Residents were advised to install at least one working smoke alarm in their homes.
Regular maintenance and checks of household appliances are also crucial.
Lastly, avoid running unattended appliances, especially overnight.
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