Appeal over recall of fire risk tumble driers

WHIRLPOOL has launched a recall of its fire risk tumble dryers by urging remaining owners of unmodified machines to “make contact immediately”.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) announced the recall involving 500,000 dryers that could potentially be a fire risk on July 10, two days after Whirlpool finally published the full list of affected machines.

The recall relates to certain models of Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline dryers built between 2004 and 2015.

Anyone with an affected dryer must unplug it immediately and stop using it.

Under the recall, all consumers with a machine on the list that has not already been modified or replaced are entitled to a free replacement dryer including collection and disposal of the old appliance, a free in-home modification, a discounted upgrade - £59 for a vented model or £99 for a condenser dryer - or a refund up to £150 depending on the age of the original.

Whirlpool recently admitted to MPs that the number of faulty tumble dryers in homes across the country could be far higher than first thought.

Executives from the company told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee that the true number could be 800,000 and it was working hard to modify those affected.

Whirlpool also revealed that in recent years, it had logged 54 fires in its tumble dryers and admitted that three of those were models that had already been updated.

Whirlpool said it was “vital” that those affected by the recall came forward.

People can instantly check if their dryer is one of those affected by calling 0800 151 0905 or by visiting whirlpool.co.uk/dryerrecall.

Consumers whose dryers have already been replaced or modified by Whirlpool need take no further action.