Certain models of Whirlpool washing machines and tumble dryers have a fault which can cause a fire if left unmodified.
These models have already caused a number of devastating fires, including in a Guildford council house, and in a flat in Shepherd’s Bush. Thankfully, a combination of vigilance, alarms and the emergency services has meant that, so far, most home occupiers have escaped unharmed from these fires, but this may not always be the case. Sadly, the same isn’t true for irreplaceable possessions like family photo albums.
Though Whirlpool has issued a huge recall for the affected appliances, but there are estimated to be hundreds of thousands still in UK homes.
What should you do?
If you think you have an affected model, or if you are unsure, then RoSPA urges everyone to double check using the website links to the right. If you do have an affected appliance, then make sure to unplug it straight away, and do not use it until you have had it fixed, or had a replacement or upgrade.
Affected models include:
- Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines manufactured between October 2014 and February 2018
- Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan or Proline tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015.
If you have one, call 0800 316 1442 for washing machines and 0800 151 0905 for tumble dryers, immediately.
What’s been done to address the problem?
Whirlpool has resolved the issue for more than 1.7million people, by either fixing their appliances, providing a free replacement, or upgrading their machines for a fee.
Following an Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) intervention, in July 2019 Whirlpool issued a recall notice on its affected tumble dryers, urging those with remaining affected appliances to get in touch.
In July 2019 Kelly Tolhurst MP, Minister for the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, said: “The message for consumers who have an unmodified dryer is to stop using and unplug their dryer immediately and to contact Whirlpool for a replacement.”