Whirlpool has just updated its advice to consumers with faulty tumble-dryers. Originally, customers with these faulty machines were told they could continue using them – while waiting for modifications – provided they were not left unattended. Now, Whirlpool is advising people to unplug an affected machine and stop using them until they are repaired.
Phil Buckle, Chief Executive of Electrical Safety First, has commented on this development:
“While we welcome Whirlpool’s updated advice to consumers, we wanted this approach to be taken much earlier. Since this safety notice was issued in November 2015, we have consistently emphasised the importance of not using an affected machine due to the fire risk they present.
We would now like to see more visible communication to reach out to those consumers who have yet to respond to the notice. Even with extensive media coverage of the devastating fires caused by these appliances, only 1.5 million affected customers have registered their faulty machines - which means many more people are still at risk.”
To highlight the issue of recalled electrical products, Electrical Safety First has run a number of consumer and stakeholder campaigns around the benefits of product registration. The Charity is also a member of the Working Group on Product Recalls and Safety, which is currently developing recommendations for a recall code of practice, with details expected to be announced at the end of this year.