Fire risks aren’t smart

SIR – I doubt the fire brigade would think much of the suggestion by Rob Salter-church, the interim executive director of Ofgem, to save energy costs with a smart meter by running the washing machine at night (Letters, June 30).

Official advice is never to run washing machines, dishwashers or tumble-dryers at night or when you are out. Lisa Maclay

Chorleywood, Hertfordshire

SIR – Having been involved in hazard and operability studies in the chemical industry for much of my life, I would not consider using a washing machine during the night while I am asleep.

We used to have a saying, “If it can happen it will.” This means that we should reduce the “can” to zero, if possible.

The risk of fire from appliances that need not be on in the night time is too great for my liking. I have investigated too many fires to make me feel safe about such matters. Dr John Lloyd

Darlington, Co Durham

SIR – Surely the fact that smart meters could be hacked by malign agents such as the Government, local authorities, Emmanuel Macron, the EU, Vladimir Putin, and who knows how many other evil powers, is enough to shun them? Brian Sanders

Brighton, East Sussex