Dishwasher Fire Risks to Pets
If your Bosch, Neff, or Siemens dishwasher is subject to the fire risk safety notice, stop using it until an engineer has inspected and cleared it. The manufacturer’s guidance to not leave it “unattended” is not adequate protection – a fire can develop faster than anyone in the house can safely respond. Check your model number against the official safety notice and arrange an engineer visit as a priority.
If you have a Bosch, Neff, or Siemens dishwasher, check whether your appliance is covered by the official safety notice. See our guide on the Bosch, Neff and Siemens dishwasher fire risk safety notice for full details of affected models and the manufacturer’s guidance.
A couple in Norfolk lost their pet dogs when their Bosch dishwasher caught fire. According to ITV News coverage of the incident, there had already been 259 reported fire incidents at the time. The couple say they were not advised to stop using the appliance while awaiting an engineer visit – and it caught fire while in use.
What Happened
The couple contacted Bosch after becoming aware their appliance was on the affected list. They were told an engineer would visit within 14 days. Crucially, they report that they were not advised to stop using the dishwasher in the interim. They continued using it during that period, and it caught fire – destroying part of the property and killing their pets.
The official Bosch guidance at the time of the incident advised owners with affected appliances that they could continue using them – but should not leave them “unattended.” In practice this means not leaving the house or going to sleep while the appliance is running.
If your appliance is subject to a fire risk safety notice, stop using it until it has been inspected and cleared by an engineer. Being present in the house while it runs is not adequate protection – a fire can take hold faster than a person can respond, and kitchen fires are among the most dangerous. An appliance we can comfortably manage without for a few weeks is not worth the risk of a house fire or injury to people or animals in the home.
The Problem With “Do Not Leave Unattended” Advice
Manufacturers frequently issue guidance telling owners to not leave affected appliances unattended rather than advising them to stop using the appliance entirely. This is inadequate for several reasons:
- Being in the same house as a running appliance provides very limited protection against a fire that starts suddenly
- Smelling smoke from another room and finding an appliance on fire leaves very limited time to respond safely
- Few domestic kitchens have fire extinguishers or other suppression equipment
- Unplugging or pulling out an appliance that is already on fire is extremely dangerous and should not be attempted
The capacity argument – that visiting and modifying tens of thousands of affected appliances takes time and an engineer cannot always attend within a day – is understandable as a logistical reality. It does not, however, change the risk to an individual household while they wait. The only genuinely safe course is to stop using the appliance until the repair has been carried out.
A Note on Manufacturer Safety Responses
When appliance fire risks emerge, manufacturers typically emphasise that only a small percentage of appliances are affected. Statistically this may be true. The relevant question is not the percentage of the production run that might be affected, but the consequences for the specific household where a failure does occur. House fires cause fatalities, serious injuries, and devastating losses. That context should drive the response, not the percentage figure.
Even for appliances not subject to a specific safety notice, Whitegoods Help strongly recommends not running washing machines, dishwashers, or tumble dryers overnight or when the house is unoccupied. For appliances with a known fire risk safety notice, stop using the appliance until it has been inspected and confirmed safe by an engineer.
Check All Appliance Safety Notices
Related Safety Guides
How Dangerous Are Our Appliances?Fire, flood, and electrical risks from white goods – what the data shows and how to reduce your risk.
8 Ways to Make Appliances SaferPractical steps every household can take to reduce the risk of fire, flood, and electrical faults.
Is It Safe to Leave the Washing Machine On?The risks of running washing machines unattended – what the statistics show and how to weigh them.
Tumble Dryer Fire Risk Safety NoticesWhich tumble dryer brands and models have been subject to fire risk safety notices in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Bosch dishwasher is on the affected list – can I still use it?
Whitegoods Help’s recommendation is to stop using any appliance that is subject to a fire risk safety notice until an engineer has inspected and cleared it. The manufacturer’s guidance of “do not leave unattended” is not adequate protection – a fire can start and spread faster than a person in another room can respond. Check the official safety notice for your model number and contact Bosch to arrange an engineer visit as a priority.
How do I know if my dishwasher is affected by the Bosch fire risk notice?
Check your model number against the official safety notice. See our guide on the Bosch, Neff and Siemens dishwasher safety notice for details of how to find and check your model number. Affected models include Bosch, Neff, and Siemens branded dishwashers.
Is it safe to run any large appliance overnight or when the house is empty?
Whitegoods Help does not recommend running washing machines, dishwashers, or tumble dryers overnight or when no one is home – regardless of whether the specific appliance is subject to a safety notice. Fire risks can arise from faults that develop without warning, and having someone present significantly improves the chance of catching a problem early.