Is it safe to leave household appliances on overnight/when out?

Question

Is it safe to leave the washing machine, dishwasher or tumble drier on overnight or when you are out? I usually do, but have been told it is unsafe.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Yes

Answer 2

no

Answer 3

I never do I always do it at night before bed you never know its better safe than your house is burned down when you arrive

Answer 4

i wouldnt if it was me hun.

Answer 5

No, you shouldn`t leave any appliances on when out or overnight..........

Answer 6

All of those machines turn off after they run a cycle so i don't see why it would be unsafe.

Answer 7

Just leave your fridge freezer on. Turn everything else off.

Answer 8

There is no reason at all to belive they are not safe. They are designed to be left plugged in by the manufacturers. No doubt you will get answer of horror stories - funy thing is they usually refer to 'someone I know'. It they have a 'standby' modet, that is an indicator light or similar, they will of course use some elctric power.
Those that say turn them off are of course ignoring things like water heaters, electric clock, telephones, fidges, freezers, central heating systems etc. You wouldn't turn them off - so don't worry

Answer 9

No it isn't safe, and fire officer once told me that plug in fragrances are also dangerous! be warned

Answer 10

I wouldn't leave them unattended, but I suppose it'd be safe enough while you were sleeping. Except the water-using appliances. You need to be able to hear if a hose bursts or something overflows. A dryer probably wouldn't be on for more than 1/2 hour, so I suppose if you went to bed with it still running, it'd be okay.

Answer 11

this is a risk assessment arena.
there ARE risks but most are small or can be mitigated.
for example we leave a fridge and freezer on all night do we not?
many dishwashers and washing machines are now run in early hours to take advantage of cheaper electricity.
the tumble drier I would not risk. ( nor an electric open fire )
If you have a modern machine and its not giving ANY problems then it should ! be OK . I would still not run them as a regular thing unless I also had trip switches such as MCB's etc fitted ( I do actually) and ECB's.
these Will trip at the slightest electrical problem and have saved many fires and lives. Not to be used on a fridge or freezer though!
The other risks are if a say washing machine develops a leak and floods the house while you are out or asleep. again its possible ( but not probable) that you can have a water metering device fitted to allow only so much water to flow as in garden tap outlets.

Answer 12

I personally think it is! just because I do not want to come home every night in the middle of darkness!