Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: Taz2 on November 12, 2011, 10:07:42 AM
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Morning ladies. A young friend of mine has recently started a job as official photographer for the fire brigade in one of our cities. He has to go around and photograph the scene during and after a fire in order that investigations can be backed up by images.
He is surprised at the number of fires he has been called to which have started in washing machines (mainly washer/driers) tumble driers and dishwashers. Since he told me I haven't dared leave any of mine on when I go out or overnight. I just wondered how many of us do this?
Taz x
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morning taz yep i put the dishwasher on when i go to bed so its all done for morning and often go out having left the washer and tumble dryer on have never given it a thought might do now though :o
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I always knew I shouldn't but just thought that it must happen very rarely.
http://www.bucksfire.gov.uk/BucksFire/News/2008/Firesafetytumbledryers2008.htm
Taz x
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Yes, I leave things on when I'm out. I have stopped using the washing machine overnight since you posted about this before, Taz but OH has queried it as we have Economy 7 so it's cheaper then. Also, I set my pyrolitic oven to clean overnight and that must be risky too. :-\
I don't know - is it possible to live a risk-free life, anyway? ???
Bette x
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I often leave ours on when away, is not that the point ???. TVs are the biggest risk apparently.
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I often do and always put my dishwasher on before I go to bed!
This is why we all should have smoke detectors (for when we're asleep!)
Libby
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I am really paranoid about house fires since my neighbour had a really bad fire. I will never forget the thick black choking smoke and the orange glow of fire from their front door. The heat was intense. I ended up being called as a witness in court since he had deliberately set fire to his flat for insurance purposes. >:( We have since moved since then thank goodness.
I switch everything off before we go to bed and I never leave washing machines of dishwasher running when we are out of the house.
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Hi
yes I have economy 7 also and do my washing and dishwasher at night. Never felt safe doing this with the tumble dryer though.I prefer to use this during the day (only in winter!) as I like to catch it quick when it is finished so I can fold while warm and save on the dreaded ironing.
I think it is very important to have smoke detectors
Bit scary all this - I wonder how high the risks are? and were they old machines, perhaps old electric wiring also?
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I put my dishwasher on when I go to bed so it's done for
the morning and my washing machine has been on when I've gone out.
My tumble dryer I've left on while I've gone to walk the dog.
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I think this happens more than we realise.
Taz x
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Electric blankets used to be risky but I won't give mine up, it's on the bed all year so that it doesn't be folded which means that the wires never crack. I have to be toasty in bed.
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clkd you dont get hot flushes then ;D
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I was thinking the same thing.
I need an ice blanket for when I go to bed ;D
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Only for about 5-10 mins after I've taken my medication at night. Fortunately I haven't suffered that part of meno, I did have cold flushes when taking Tamoxifen and that was Awful - cold water running down from the back of my neck across my shoulders as far as my waist. made me feel right ill ::)
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I never have mine on overnight. Although I do sometimes nip out to the local supermarket when washing machine or whatever is on, but I know I'm going to be back within about 30 minutes. Probably shouldn't do that either. Tumble dryer is in the garage, so if it goes up in smoke so does car! Do you all remember to clean tumble dryer filter after each use, a lot of people don't which can cause fire.
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I always clean my filter especially after doing towels.
What colour is you TD fluff ::)
I have a theory over this one ?
Honeyb
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I only clean the filter when I remember!
My fluff is always black but when I put my new fluffy robe in it did change to dark navy blue for a change but now it is back to black.
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Well mainly dark grey to be honest. How does that happen? When doing light coloured stuff it is off white, but always looks like I'd never washed the stuff! ::)
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My husband's boss has just had a kitchen fire when his washing machine caught fire in his new house. Luckily it was quite contained as he was home at the time ... they work for the Fire Brigade.
Jenny X
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Scary stuff. Was it a new machine?
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Not sure about that but it had only just been installed as he'd just moved in. I always turn my machine on then close the door because the noise is so loud. When it spins I think it's going into orbit. Are we supposed to hover over them just in case?
Jenny X
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No it is just if you are going to bed or going out. If you are in the house you will smell the smoke before the fire gets too bad but if you are out of the house then obviously the fire will get a greater hold.
This is an interesting discussion http://conversation.which.co.uk/energy-home/unattended-kitchen-appliances-fire-risk-washing-machine-tumble-dryer/
Taz x
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Slightly off track here. Does anyone find that washing tablets are becoming less dissolve-able? I've had to change back to powder as stuff wasn't getting washed properly.
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Yes I thought it was just my new machine (not the most expensive in the world) not working as well. I think it's the lower temperatures maybe.. or perhaps the fact that my new machine does a really quick wash but for a lot of it seems to be just spinning around and pumping out. I have also found that if I put them in the washing machine drawer as is suggested then I just end up with a gooey mess still in the drawer so I put them in the little net bag in the machine but then the darker clothes can be left with white streaks. I'm glad it's not just me.
Taz x
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It's because people are using a 30 or 40 deg wash and not 50 or higher. The tablets don't dissolve at low temperatures whatever the manufacturers tell us >:( which also means that any powder will get left in the machine and not flushed through! I only use a low wash for delicates, towels and sheets are done at 50 or 60, other clothes at 50. I will continue to leave mine on when I go out but only if the dog isn't at home. everytime I switch it or the dishwasher on these days I wonder ::)
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Many new machines don't have a 50 setting. They have 30, 40 and 60.
Taz x
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That's fine. Better to put things through with a hot wash than 30 or 40, I tend to hand-wash smalls in the Summer to drip dry anyway ;)
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I use liquid rather tabs and always wash at 30 or 40 - haven't had any problems.
Bette x
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I used liquid but it ending up gunking the machine up a bit (is that a word?) and the engineer advised to switch to tablets but not gel.
Taz x
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I buy a machine cleaner about every three months. Run it with only the cleaner on 60. Bingo clean sweet smelling machine and no muck in my pipes ;D
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Apparently it is good to run the machine empty on a hot wash once a month. Soda crystals are supposed to be good (and cheap) for this.
Can anyone suggest a remedy for the drawer on the washing machine, the conditioner section on mine is permanently full of water. I have cleaned with vinegar/soda crystals/boiling water but it still remains full after each wash. The fabric conditioner gets taken and gunge does build up but I clean frequently. Even if I don't use conditioner this happens.
Has anyone else got this problem - or is it just me?
Purplenanny xx
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Me, me! I've only noticed it recently (but that might be because I wasn't being observant ::) ) and as you say, it's only the conditioner section.
After a thread last year about low temp washes, I bought some Calgon and did a hot wash with it to clean the machine. Also bought a cleaner for the dishwasher and did the same as we often use the short, cooler cycle in that too.
Bette x
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Thanks Bette, I was a bit suspect of Calgon as I thought it may just be soda crystals, but if it works I will give it a go. Do you use it very often? Purplenanny x x
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Well, I probably would have just used the soda crystals if I'd known they worked! I'm not sure how much good it did, tbh - it certainly didn't sort out the conditioner section problem.... Now I'm wondering, though as I haven't used the C. for a while. I'll do it today and see if there's any effect!
Bette x
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Just went to do this and checked the machine booklet. It says to use Calgon and run the "tub clean" programme which I've just set. That's obviously why I bought the C! ::)
Bette x
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::)well at least you found out why you bought it in the first place!! ha ha. I will await your wash with interest! x x
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Well it's finished. Nice and clean - but conditioner section is still full of water! ::) ???
Bette x
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Oh dear! that's exactly what happens to me - I wonder if anyone can help us? I am pleased it is not just me though - sorry Bette! At least you can save money using soda crystals when the calgon runs out.
Purplenanny x x
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Maybe start a new thread?
Bette x
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;)Good idea Bette - just done it. Purplenanny x x
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;D
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;D ;D ;D
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Makes me wish that mine was free-standing rather than under the work-top! :ange:
Bette x
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:rofl: ooooo Bettie ;D ;D
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Don't tell me that you weren't all thinking the same......! ;D
Bette x
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:wub:
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Bette!!!!!!!!!! :madeyes:
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Anyone still got a spin-dryer? :ange:
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Do you mean a tumble-dryer? Yes but sadly that's under a work surface too! :'( ;D
Bette x
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No the old fashioned spin drier? For use with a single tub washing machine? Back in the day! Am sending you a link in a pm
Taz x
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Oh I remember those! The spin cycle on my existing machine is very "vibrant" so that could really be fun if I could only get to it!!!! ;D
Bette x
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Oh yes, me too! Had to soak the nappies during the week in a bucket with that awful smelling stuff in it - cant rememebr what it was called now.
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This has made me laugh ;D ;D ;D
I use to soak the nappies in Napisan then put them in the twin tub with water softner, they came up brilliant white and soft,
(http://img.dooyoo.co.uk/GB_EN/175/house_garden/household_products/napisan.jpg)
I always used paddypads with paddyy pants as well as nappies, anyone remember them?
silverlady x
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Thats it - Napisan - oh I remember the smell so well, but I agree Silverlady , it bought the nappies up lovely. Mot sure about the others - I did use liners in the nappies but dont think they had a particular name.
Oh - the memories!
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Will have a nostalgia search and see if I can find them, they combine then now with the pants.
silverlady x
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Found them http://www.paddi.org.uk/Paddi-History.php
This was when they were first introduced my mum used them with my siblings and I used them with my daughter.
Does anyone remember "Jumping Jacks" shoes and little boots my mum put me in them when I was a kid and I use to buy them for my daughter.
silverlady x
So sorry for getting off the subject ::)
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A new thread maybe?
I just love these chit chat threads that take your mind off your woes. :)
Me too :). I remember my mum has a washer with a mangle.
We had a twin tub when daughter was born. Got a automatic when she was 6.
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I had a sink first and a spin drier and then a single tub to go with the spinner and then, finally, an automatic! My mum had a gas copper which she used right up to her early eighties. Her washing was always so white and smelt divine when it had been dried on the line in the frosty air.
Taz x
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I have taken to running the dish-washer when we are here :o and the laundry gets done over-night ready to hang on the line after breakfast. In the back of my mind ……….. :-\
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Washing machines seem to be slightly more likely to cause a fire than dish washers but according to this the odds are still really low but advice is never to leave them running when out or in bed http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/appliance-industry-news/226-washing-machine-news/3751-washing-machines-are-a-fire-risk.html
Taz x
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That's never then 'cos I'm usually asleep or out and about with DH - apart from the last 3 weeks ;)
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Eeek! Here in Switzerland we mostly live in apartments with a shared laundry. I get half a day a week to do all my washing, which has to be cleared from the drying lines by the end of the following day. I have no choice but to leave the washer and the dryer to get on with it unsupervised, plus smoke detectors are virtually unheard of. And you thought this was a civilized country...
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Eeek, double eek :o ……… in Yorkshire some house Deeds state that washing can only be hung on the line on a Monday :( …….and it rains in Yorkshire, a lot ::)
Could you not fit a smoke alarm? start a precedent? and I thought that your washing would be blowing in the pure mountain air :D
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Health and safety gone mad. Can they not just leave us alone to be free thinking independent adults.
I have recently had a visit from a council jobs worth. An objectionable little man. I wanted a building warrant for a couple of velux windows.
He was told in no uncertain terms that he was not there to inspect the room use but to say the windows had been fitted correctly.
Much to my hubbies surprise I kind of lost my temper and chucked the jobs worth out whilst telling him it was my house and I would do what I like with it ;D
Can't quite believe I did it and I'm sure I won't get my warrant....but hey ho he should think himself lucky I did not thump him.....one of those days ::)
Honeyb
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;D better now, perhaps you need some Snickers ;)
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Which bit shows health and safety gone mad?
Taz x
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If I didn't leave my machines on when I am out or in bed, things would never get washed! The washing cycles take forever these days.
There have been 2 fires in neighbours houses in the last few years, one where the house and contents were completely lost. In both cases, the people had recently moved in and were doing improvements, without giving the existing electrics an overhaul. The existing electrics were not up to the job. When we had various improvements done we were advised to have a new fuse box installed. It is far more sensitive, but the electrician has organised it so if the lights on one side of the house go, the other side doesn't.
We wouldn't happily live in a house with a thatch roof. Both my husband when he was a policeman and my son as a retained firefighter, had to attend numerous fires in houses with thatch roofs, which burnt rapidly down. Very frightening.
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I've always left my washing machine on when I'm out. Never even thought about it until I saw this thread.
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It was just me having bit of a rant about my council jobs worth Taz ::)
He told us that our loft room was not safe without bothering to look at what the builder had done. I asked him if he was qualified to make these statements and he started mumbling about health and safety. Really annoyed me.
Honeyb
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If I didn't put my washing machine on when I'm out or overnight, I'd never get any washing done! I leave for work at 6am, get home (after visiting Mum) around 7pm and go to bed around 9pm .... not sure how I'm supposed to get the washing done and dried in those 2 hours!!
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Ah I see - sorry missed that bit!
It is difficult to see how we can get things done in the time we are in the house - I agree Scampi. I only started this thread - years ago now - because a friend had just started a job as the official photographer for the Manchester Fire Brigade and he was amazed at how many household appliance fires he had attended.
Taz x
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I would never buy a property anywhere near thatched roofs :o. End of.
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Oh I would if I could afford it.
That's like saying you won't live next to a road in case you get run over.
Honeyb
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My in-laws live in a thatched cottage - very pretty.
Taz x
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Nope not at all ::) ......... we all live near roads ......... and so far I've avoided those stupid drivers that use mobiles/make up/computers/pouring coffee whilst driving ;)
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Why wouldn't you live near thatched roofs?
Taz x :-\
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Just come home the scenic route along roads with passing places only. I was driving slowly towards a blind bend (with the wise words of my hubbie in my head "Around every bend expect a wally, if not it's a bonus." There was a wally in a 4 by 4, driven far, far too fast. I stopped, screamed as I thought this huge car was going to plough into my little car. He stopped within an inch. I still feel shaky. I shall go home on the dual carriage way next time!
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A good few of the roads around me are like that and we have our fair share of wallies. My sister's hubby refuses to go back to Mull on holiday because of roads and drivers. My worse thing is motor cyclists. I think they have a death wish.
The reason CLKD won't live near a thatched house is because of a fire risk.
Honeyb
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It seems that 4x4 drivers think they are invincible because they are protected from harm in their big "tanks". Also, it apparently means they don't need to look where they are going.
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Ju Ju - I wish every driver, when the Tester tells them 'you have passed', is also told - "remember that the person you hit may be the person you love the most" :-\ ......... feet up with a cuppa then?
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Half a glass of wine! Can't drink more than that, however disgraceful I want to be! :o Hubby always said I was a cheap date! I so love driving these beautiful country lanes. I will avoid this particular road for a while as it will be frequented by tractors etc particularly at this time of year.
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Has anyone noticed the SIZE of farm machinery these days :o :cuss: and how many are not linked so that lights/indicators etc. work ........ at least being high up the drivers ought to notice when traffic is approaching from the opp direction ::) but many now have radios in the cab.
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At least my little grandson gets excited by all the tractors, combines etc that pass by his window. They all wave at him!
I think 4by 4, Audi, (apologies to those owners, who are responsible) and white van drivers must have X-ray vision and be exempt from speed restrictions!
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Thick as well as stupid!
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Ooooo, every make of car that is driven on our roads could be driven by a poor driver.
I think that the ones who drive too slow are just as bad as the overly fast ones. We have a lot of elderly people around us and some of them never get out of third gear consequently some take chances when trying to overtake.
My son is now doing an advanced driving course. Much needed in my opinion. He has already written off one car by rolling it in a field.
Good and bad drivers every where. I think the test as it stands at the moment is not broad enough to cover varying situations. Skid control, night driving and motor way driving to name a few.
Honeyb
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Honeybun he should get a reduction in insurance if he passes the Advanced Motoring Course ;)
Drivers should be able to do motorway driving after Passing the Test and most Circuits have skid pans so there are plenty of opportunities for our young drivers to be given tokens for C.mas/birthdays ;)
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Motorway driving is totally different and its up to parents to teach it. Bloomin scary hurtling down a motorway with a new driver.
As for skid pads. The nearest to us is 40 miles away and probably very expensive. After paying for driving lessons at £25 per hour. Paying for the theory test and then the test itself the parental purse is pretty empty.
Honeyb
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Skid pans could be incorporated into the lessons though!
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That was my point CLKD. The test isnt broad enough and never has been. I was never taught how to handle a skidding car. Hubby taught me but he raced Formula Ford so learned then. He has also taught our two children along with other skills.
Honeyb
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This is a real meander ain't it ;D .......... how about Winter tyres?
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In this country unless you live somewhere really rural and you know how to drive in snowy conditions then I would say they are not necessary.
Apart from that they are so expensive and you have to store the yourself or pay for storage :o
Honeyb
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Winter tyres - hmm
That would be sensible and safe.
However insurance companies have been known to get stroppy and say they weren't standard issue, oh, and refuse to pay up.
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My son has his winter tyres stored in our garage. Thought when he got garden shed he'd remove them. Duh! ;D
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Insurance companies differ over whether they need to be informed about winter tyres. The ABI have produced a list of insurers and their take on this https://www.abi.org.uk/Insurance-and-savings/Products/Motor-insurance/Winter-tyres
Taz x
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Taz - that list is really useful - Thanks
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I have a friend in Germany who came to stay for a while. She was delayed here for longer than she meant to and was worried because she had brought her car over here with summer tyres and might not have made the deadline to have winter tyres fitted on her return which would have been illegal. She researched a bit about winter tyres while here to try to find the cheapest deal. I hadn't even thought about them until then.
Taz x
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We hadn't thought about it till the bad winters.
People round here fitted winter tyres, thinking that was the thing to do, then got told off by their insurance companies. It's good to get information from the ABI.
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Winter tyres in Mainland Europe are compulsory from November I think ........ they get proper weather over there ;D
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We get proper weather up here too CLKD. We are just under the misapprehension that we can drive ;D
Some parts of Scotland are nearer Norway than they are the south of England.
Honeyb
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:rofl: ………
People down here think they can drive too ……. using their mobiles, drinking coffee, reading the paper, putting on mascara: and that's the men!
A woman drove past our house yesterday whilst DH and I were having a cuppa in the shade: she was texting on her mobile with her window down, well guess who leapt up shouting 'put your mobile down now' :-\ - and it wasn't Hubby >:(. Had he not been with me I would have chased her down the road :beat:
What was the question again ……..
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Have not got a clue CLKD but I'm pretty sure it wasn't anything to do with cars ;D
Honeyb
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Well done CLKD :medal:
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:thankyou: I'll be watching for her next time: we don't have nets for a reason ;)
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Winter tyres are compulsory here in Switzerland (what a surprise). If you have an accident and you haven't got them it invalidates your insurance, so most people do it automatically. Where we live there are quite a few foreigners, including Arabs, so we usually get a laugh watching them trying to drive with summer tyres after the first snowfall. M husband is usually out there helping them push.
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There was an article in yesterday's paper suggesting that 'we' are going to get cheap rate electricity over-night, like it was a new idea ::), however, the Fire Service are begging people NOT to leave their white goods unattended due to the many tumble drier/dish washer flaws that have caused often fatal fires :-\
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I never ever leave my washing machine on when I am out, even for a short while. My friend's sister-in-law left hers on for 15 minutes while she went to the corner shop - when she came back, the fire engine was outside the house - fortunately, a neighbour had seen the smoke in the kitchen and called them before it got too bad. Even so, the dog was unconscious and had to be rushed to the vet - if the neighbour hadn't seen the smoke, it would have been too late for the poor dog by the time the lady came home.
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I have decided to err on the side of caution .......
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Following news of the Whirlpool tumble dryer fires, I put a question on the MSE forum (insurance) to ask whether an insurer might refuse to pay up for a fire if the resident had gone out and left it on. No definite answer. I don't leave my washing machine or dishwasher on overnight (no tumble dryer) but i have left them while popping out to the shops.
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Fortunately our daughter was at home when her washing machine overheated, just before Christmas. She says she was in the habit of going out & leaving it on. When she came here at Christmas, with a sizeable amount of washing needing done, she asked me to switch my machine off any time I go out, as I sometimes do this also. I usually do my washing/tumble drying when I'm at home, but even nipping out for 10/15 minutes could be enough for a fire to take hold.