Tumble Dryer Safety Notices

Another potential fire risk safety notice been issued on white goods appliances. The biggest brands affected are Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit tumble dryers. Some other brands are affected too (see below). These are all part of the same manufacturing group (Whirlpool).

Remarkably it covers potentially millions of condenser and vented dryers sold over the last 11 years. It’s probably safe to say that most Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit dryers made before 2015 are affected unless made before 2004. The manufacturer has published the following statement –

A potential concern with two types of tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015. In some rare cases, excess fluff can come into contact with the heating element and present a risk of fire”. Basically it’s been found that a build up of fluff can in some cases come into contact with the heating elements and ignite. As an engineer I can confirm that tumble dryers can accumulate quite remarkable amounts of fluff inside – due to either poor design, damaged filters or if the filters aren’t carefully looked after and cleaned after every use.”

Which tumble dryers are affected?

Affected brands are: Hotpoint | Indesit | Creda | Proline | Swan tumble dryers, manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015

Over 100 different models are affected. It’s important to note that if you bought one of these tumble dryers after September 2015 it does not guarantee your model is not affected. This is because one could be in stock for some time after being manufactured before being sold. The affected tumble dryers were manufactured between the dates quoted above. You should check to see if your model is affected using the links below if you have any of these brands of dryer.

How to check if your dryer is subject to this safety notice

It’s very easy. Get your model and serial number from behind the door and enter the numbers into the manufacturer’s web sites below and then follow any instructions –

• Safety Notice – Hotpoint or Creda or Proline tumble Dryers
• Safety Notice – Indesit tumble dryers
• Safety notice – Swan tumble dryers

Green spot sticker?

Check to see if your tumble dryer has a small green spot sticker. Look behind the door, or near to the door seal, or anywhere on the machine including the back. A green spot sticker indicates that the fault has been fixed in the past. This is likely if you have had any engineer to repair it previously. It seems to show that prior to the announcement their engineers were already quietly making modifications. It’s up to you to decide if you trust it’s been done or not.

Is it safe to keep using an affected tumble dryer?

This safety notice specifically says, “consumers may continue to use their products, provided that appliances are not left unattended whilst operating”. However, clearly the notice has been issued because one could suddenly catch fire. So use your common sense. Personally I would say get it checked asap. If it’s an affected model have it modified before using again. If you must use it you need to not leave it running without anyone close by and accept that it could catch fire. If you are not going to be in a position to deal with any fire and have no suitable fire extinguisher etc then just do not take the risk.

Update: Whirlpool finally change their advice

Whirlpool eventually changed their advice inline with my above paragraph. They were now advising people with affected dryers not to use them until they have been fixed – Owners told not to use dangerous tumble dryers after all (BBC news site). This is the only common sense and safe attitude to adopt unless someone is stood watching one with fire extinguisher to hand.

However, after unrelenting campaigning by Which? The government have finally acted – Whirlpool told to recall dryers in ‘unprecedented’ government move

More advice on fire risks in appliances

I’ve always advised never to leave any washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running whilst no one is around and these safety notices only confirm the wisdom of such advice. Tumble dryers – particularly condenser dryers – need to be properly looked after. If you have any brand of dryer you should make sure you are aware of all the filters inside and ensure they are always clean. Condenser dryers in particular can have several filters with some of them hidden behind panels or doors. Blocked filters can cause overheating!

Related links

• Fire risks in appliances
• Is it safe to leave washing machine on?
• More tumble dryer safety notices
• Appliance safety notices issued covering all white goods appliances
• How can a tumble dryer catch fire when unplugged?

Here is another important warning to pass on and take note of, this time it’s regarding a potential Siemens tumble dryer fire risk. The only dryers affected by this specific notice are ones manufactured in 2002.

What is the fire risk?

“An electrical component on a limited number of Siemens branded tumble dryers manufactured in 2002 may overheat and in very rare cases cause a potential fire hazard”

Which Models are Affected?

Siemens haven’t released any model numbers, which is very inconvenient for customers and unusual. They say models affected look similar to the photo on this page and were manufactured in 2002. The lack of model numbers means all customers with a Siemens tumble dryer that could have been made in 2002 have to find their model and serial numbers and check online. Go to the Siemens web site and enter your model and batch number (which should be behind the door) into their form on this page Siemens: Tumble Dryer Safety Action.

Note that this safety notice affects dryers manufactured in 2002 so if you bought yours before 2002 it shouldn’t be affected. However, if you bought it in 2003 it is possible that it was still manufactured in 2002 so make sure you check.

Related

• See list of all tumble dryer safety notices (Only ones I am aware of)
• All my (known about) safety notices covering all white goods appliances
• Safety Warning articles
• Fire risks in appliances
• Is it safe to leave appliances running when out – or in bed?

Unfortunately there’s yet another fire risk warning for an appliance. This time it’s on Beko Condenser Tumble Dryers. Beko are trying to track down owners of their 6kg & 7kg Condenser Tumble Dryers purchased between May and October 2012 to carry out a free of charge modification.

Beko are urging anyone who believes they have an affected model to stop using it immediately and disconnect it from the wall socket as a precaution.

For full details see their web page which tells you exactly how to check if your dryer is affected Beko 6kg & 7kg Condenser Tumble Dryer safety notice

Unfortunately a safety notice has just been issued for another domestic appliance with a potential fire risk. This time it’s a White Knight tumble dryer.

White Knight say one of the electrical connectors fitted to 1800 White Knight Condenser dryers (built in Oct 2010) has been discovered to be sub standard, and can potentially lead to overheating of the appliance. They are warning it could create a potential fire hazard.

Models affected –

• 0312 76A 15002 (77AW)
• 0312 767 15009 (767C)
• 0312 76A 15010 (77AW)
• 0312 76A 15330 (77AS)
• 0312 76A 31000 (CL76AWH)

Models above MUST also be in the serial range below to be affected

If you have one of the models listed above you need to check its serial number as only models produced within a certain time frame are reportedly affected. Check whether your appliance has a serial number from the following list of potentially affected batches (the model and serial number can be found inside the door of your dryer as shown in the diagram).

Serial numbers affected

NOTE: All affected dryers have serial numbers starting 104.. or 07.. so if you have one of the models listed but your serial number doesn’t start with 104.. or 07.. then it’s not affected according to White Knight. If it does start with 104.. or 07.. then it still needs to fall within the ranges listed to be affected.

Serial numbers starting with 07

The serial numbers quoted beginning with 07 are admittedly a little confusing because unlike the others those numbers aren’t ranges, they are just serial numbers but that’s how the official safety notice reports them. It looks like they have just picked out 6 unique serial numbers which makes no sense. If you have one beginning with 07 and are in doubt phone UK Freephone 0800 952 1102. However, the affected dryers are supposed to have been made in 2010 so if you bought yours much later than that it shouldn’t be affected.

What to do if your dryer is affected

Remember, only the models listed above, with serial numbers within any of the above lists are affected. If your dryer has a serial number within any of the affected batches, then STOP using it and disconnect it from the mains outlet as a precautionary measure. You can telephone White Knight on the following telephone number and they will arrange for your dryer to be replaced free of charge. If in doubt – contact White Knight.

UK Freephone 0800 952 1102
Ireland Freephone 1800 844 165
lines are open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm

Full details on this safety notice have been removed by White Knight

This article linked to a web page by the manufacturer giving details and help on what to do. They’ve since removed it as manufacturers always do. This is despite people still only just finding out about it and looking for help. I’ve found an old archived copy of the page.