Safety calls over faulty tumble dryers

Home appliance maker Whirlpool has been told to explain steps taken to address a supposed safety risk affecting up to one million faulty tumble dryers in the UK.

In January the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy committee said the firm needed to take urgent action to address problems that have led to at least 750 fires since 2004.

This includes the death of two men killed in a fire in Llanwrst, North Wales, which a coroner’s report ruled was caused by a faulty door mechanism on a Whirlpool tumble dryer.

The firm pledged to resolve issues with the defective machines within one week of the initial January report.

Rachel Reeves MP, chairwoman of the committee, said: “Whirlpool’s initial response to the discovery of defects in their tumble dryers was woeful.

“Following our report, Whirlpool pledged to resolve the risk from faulty machines within a week of being contacted.

“Whirlpool must spell out how many cases they have resolved since this pledge and show that real progress is being made to address these serious safety concerns.”

The firm previously told the committee it would share its response to certain fatal incidents.