This is the biggest appliance fire risk safety notice ever issued in the UK (in my experience). The brands affected are Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit tumble dryers but some other related but lesser-known brands are affected too (see below). They 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 –
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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.
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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. 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!
Rajendrakumar says
hi i have a dryer and i was sent a letter home which gave me an access to a free repair visit at home but i have missed placed the letter can i please get the link
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Use the link in my article under “What do do”. Put in your model number and if it is one that’s affected the manufacturer’s web site will tell you exactly how to get it fixed.
Christine says
Mine did smoke luckily only a small piece of fluff was ignited my daughter was home and was so frightened.when the engineer came out in Oct I ask if it would catch fire he laughed at me and told me not to be silly like I was stupid,it has now come to light that mine is one that is effected but yet Hotpoint have still not been out,I don’t want to risk a modification I want a replacement or even my money back so I can go else were but I just get fobbed off
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Christine. Unless I’ve misunderstood something about this safety recall they’ve been modifying them when they visit for other reasons for some time. Yours should have been modified if an engineer came. They place a small green circular sticker on the dryer if they’ve modified it so have a look for one. They should place it behind the door but it could be put on the back somewhere. Most people are being offered new dryers at discounted prices because it appears they haven’t a cat in hells chance of dealing with the millions of dryers affected.
Angela Curran says
Hi, I have one of the affected Hotpoint dryers. After many emails and tweets I finally received a call today and have been told an engineer will call out next week to modify it. I am just concerned as to whether this will definitely make the dryer safer. Or should I demand a new one? Hotpoint said that 2 modifications would be done. Firstly they would fit a new bearing kit and a grill to allow airflow. And Secondly the engineer will fit a cover over the filter to stop the fluff getting into the machine. Does this sound like a reasonable adjustment to the dryer or do you think i am being fobbed off?
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
They are struggling to cope with this as millions of dryers are affected. I think they are trying to modify as many as they can as long as they are fairly new but many people are being offered a new Hotpoint dryer for £99 or less depending on how old it is. I would expect the modification should do the trick but it may well be possible to demand a refund from the retailer under the sale of goods act as the dryer was clearly sold with an inherent fault. However, that route would be most likely to be met with resistance from the retailer who would be most likely to fob people off to the manufacturer.
Brenda says
My Creda model is T622CW ser. 28101049 is it ok to use
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
You have to follow the instructions under, “How to check if your dryer is subject to the safety notice” in the article Brenda. It only takes a minute.
Liz says
Hi – we have an Indesit tumble dryer that needs the modification. The retailer is not willing to help us using their cover plan as quote ‘it is not FAULTY – just needs a modification.’ As such they say we also cannot claim under the Sale of Goods Act as ‘not fit for purpose’
Is this correct
Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp) says
Hello Liz. I’d have said it needs a modification because of a design fault? You could just as easily say that a fault in the design is making it potentially dangerous to use and therefore not fit for purpose. The sale of goods act specifically says that if you can prove an appliance has an inherent fault then they breached the act when they sold it to you because the fault was present when sold. We all know that it isn’t the retailer’s fault in any way, but unfortunately the sale of goods act makes them responsible.
A lot depends on how old it is, they may be within their rights to knock off half the cost of a new one for example if the dryer is already halfway through its expected average lifespan. Hotpoint are offering heavily discounted replacements themselves dependent on how old they are but are also trying to repair newish ones.