GE WSM2420DWW Use and Care Manual - Page 4

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (continued) CALIFORNIA SAFE DRINKING WATER AND TOXIC ENFORCEMENT ACT This act requires the governor of California to publish a list of substances known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm and requires businesses to warn customers of potential exposure to such substances. Gas appliances can cause minor exposure to four of these substances, namely benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and soot, caused primarily by the incomplete combustion of natural gas or LP fuels. Properly adjusted dryers will minimize incomplete combustion. Exposure to these substances can be minimized further by properly venting the dryer to the outdoors. • Clean the dryer lint filter before each load to prevent lint accumulation inside the dryer or in the room. DO NOT OPERATE THE DRYER WITHOUT THE LINT FILTER IN PLACE. • Keep the area around and underneath your appliances free from the accumulation of combustible materials, such as lint, paper, rags or chemicals. • The interior of the machine and the exhaust duct connection inside the dryer should be cleaned periodically by a qualified individual. To Minimize the Possibility of Injury: • Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids such as vinegar and/or rust remover. Mixing can produce a toxic gas which may cause death. WARNING-Fire and Spontaneous Combustion Hazard Do not wash or dry items that are soiled with vegetable or cooking oil. These items may contain some oil after laundering. Due to the remaining oil, the fabric may smoke or catch fire by itself causing fire or a spontaneous combustion hazard. • Do not wash or dry articles that have been cleaned in, washed in, soaked in, or spotted with combustible or explosive substances (such as, paint, gasoline, degreasers, dry-cleaning solvents or kerosene) which may ignite or explode. Do not add these substances to the wash water and do not use or store these substances on/or around your washer and dryer during operation. WARNING-HYDROGEN GAS is produced by the chemical action within your water heater and the gas can accumulate in the water heater and/or water pipes if hot water has not been used for a period of two weeks or longer. HYDROGEN GAS CAN BE EXPLOSIVE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. So to prevent the possibility of damage or injury, if you have not used hot water for two weeks or more, or move into a residence in which the hot water system may not have been used for some time, turn on all hot water faucets and allow them to run for several minutes before using any electrical appliance which is connected to the hot water system. This will allow any hydrogen gas to escape. Since the gas is flammable, do not smoke or use an open flame or appliance during this process. • Never reach into washer while it is moving. Before loading, unloading or adding clothes, push the Cycle Selector knob in, then wait until the machine has completely stopped before opening the lid. • Never reach into the dryer while the drum is moving. Before loading, unloading or adding clothes, wait until the drum has completely stopped. • Do not wash or dry fiberglass articles in your appliance. Skin irritation could result from the remaining glass particles that may be picked up by clothing during subsequent appliance uses. • The laundry process can reduce the flame retardancy of fabrics. To avoid such a result, the garment manufacturer's care instructions should be followed very carefully. 4