Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIRE PERIL OF 500,000 WASHING MACHINES
But makers Whirlpool will not replace them until New Year, sparking fury
WHIRLPOOL is recalling 519,000 faulty washing machines after 79 caught fire, amid fears they could cause killer blazes.
But the firm sparked fury by saying it will only start to fix or replace the appliances in January.
One user said: “Will it take someone to lose their life for them to act more quickly?”
HALF a million households face Christmas with no washing machine after Whirlpool’s decision to wait until January to fix or replace faulty ones that could burst into flames.
The beleaguered firm has recalled 519,000 because 79 caught light due to a flawed door locking system on Hotpoint and Indesit appliances that can overheat.
But despite the fire hazard, Whirlpool told owners to just unplug the machines or use a wash under 20C, sparking fury.
And minutes after the recall, the US company’s website crashed, leaving anxious families unable to check if they owned one of the affected devices.
It comes just months after Whirlpool launched a major recall of 500,000 potentially dangerous tumble dryers.
Mirror reader Charles North rang the helpline but was told nothing could be done because the site was down. The worried 86-year-old found out his machine was at risk through the Mirror.
Charles, of Brentford, West London, said: “This is ridiculous. What am I supposed to do between now and New Year? Stink? I can’t get to a launderette.
“Will it take someone to lose their life in a fire for them to act more quickly?”
Consumer watchdog Which? blasted the firm for dragging its heels over repairs. Strategic policy adviser Sue Davies said: “We know the company has a track record for appearing to put corporate reputation ahead of public safety in its disgraceful handling of the unsafe tumble dryer crisis. This safety alert will cause huge disruption for millions over Christmas.”
Labour MP Carolyn Harris added: “It is time for ministers to step in and ensure Whirlpool is properly held accountable for the potential danger they have put their customers in.”
The firm said the delay in fixing or replacing faulty machines was to allow it to increase production at its five factories.
It added: “Whirlpool is now working at full speed to build the necessary infrastructure so it can be ready to officially begin the recall in early January.
“There have been 79 reported incidents in the UK involving the affected appliances where a fire has broken out. No serious injuries have been reported.”
Whirlpool boss Jeff Noel said: “We know how important washing machines are. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience. We hope people will understand we are taking action because their safety is our top priority.”
In July, the firm finally recalled the 500,000 faulty tumble dryers after 54 of them burst into flames. But it was criticised for not calling them back sooner and instead carrying out a “safety campaign” to modify 1.7 million devices.
WHIRLPOOL recalling dangerous washing machines after its foot-dragging over fire-risk tumble dryers shows a company which should avoid gambling with the lives of its customers.
The overheating in door locks is an incomprehensible risk when consumers are entitled to expect every machine bought is 100% safe.
Something’s gone badly wrong in the design and production of dryers and now washers, with criticism of Whirlpool’s slow response entirely justified after the firm tried to brush off serious concerns raised by the Mirror.
The public is entitled to expect the highest safety standards, so Whirlpool has a lot of work to do to put right past wrongs and ensure the machines it sells are totally safe.