Heat Pump Tumble dryer urgent fire risk safety notices
There are currently two active tumble dryer fire risk recalls affecting UK homes. Hundreds of thousands of machines may still be in use without a safety modification.
If your machine is confirmed as affected: stop using it immediately, switch it off and unplug it. Do not wait for a repair appointment before unplugging.
Safety information compiled by Whitegoods Help — sourced directly from the UK Government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), manufacturer safety notices, the London Fire Brigade and the National Fire Chiefs Council. This page is updated as new official information becomes available.
Two separate tumble dryer recalls are currently active in the UK. The first affects certain Haier-manufactured heat pump tumble dryers (sold under eight brand names) made between December 2019 and May 2024 — as of December 2025, approximately 85,000 machines still require repair. The second is the long-running Whirlpool recall covering Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline vented and condenser dryers made between 2004 and 2015, which is still technically active for any unmodified machines remaining in UK homes. Both present a fire risk. Check your appliance using the guides below.
Recall 1: Haier heat pump tumble dryers — 8 brands affected
Machines manufactured: December 2019 to May 2024. Recall status: Active — ongoing as of April 2025.
Certain integrated heat pump tumble dryers manufactured by Haier have been found to have an internal short circuit fault that can occur during normal use and cause the machine to ignite. No misuse or fault on the part of the owner is required for the risk to arise.
The recall is being enforced under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) — the UK government body responsible for product safety regulation.
Which brands are affected?
Haier manufactures appliances sold under multiple brand names in the UK. All eight of the following are included in this recall. Each has its own dedicated safety check page:
| Brand | Official safety check link |
|---|---|
| Haier | haier-europe.com — product safety notice |
| Candy | productsafety.haier.co.uk |
| Hoover | hooverdirect.co.uk — product safety issue |
| Baumatic | productsafety.haier.co.uk |
| Caple | caple.co.uk — urgent safety notice |
| Iberna | productsafety.haier.co.uk |
| Lamona | howdens.com — product safety notices |
| Montpellier | montpellier-appliances.com — product safety |
Not all models within these brands are affected. You must verify using your specific model number and 16-digit serial number.
What happened with the first repair programme?
This recall has had an important and troubling development that all owners need to understand. Haier launched an initial modification programme in early 2025 covering approximately 103,000 machines. In August 2025, OPSS ordered Haier to halt this programme after finding the modification was insufficient and did not fully remove the fire risk.
This means: if your machine was modified before 1 August 2025, it may still present a fire risk and you should not assume it is safe.
Following an updated modification, Haier resumed its programme in September 2025. As of December 2025, approximately 85,000 machines had still not received the correct modification and remained at risk. The programme is ongoing.
How to check your rating plate — the quickest way to assess your risk
Check the rating plate on your machine — usually found on the inside of the door or door recess. Look for the following markings:
Appliances showing “J7” on the rating plate have received the correct updated modification. No further action is required.
Appliances showing “HM1” on the rating plate, or with no marking at all, have not received the correct modification. Stop using immediately and unplug.
Even if your machine shows “HM1” or was modified before 1 August 2025, use the official manufacturer checker below to confirm your current status and arrange the updated free-of-charge modification.
What should you do right now?
- Find your model number and 16-digit serial number. These are usually on a label inside the door or door recess.
- Check the rating plate for a J7 or HM1 marking as described above.
- Enter your serial number at the relevant manufacturer link from the table above to confirm whether your specific appliance is affected.
- If affected — stop using the appliance immediately and unplug it if the plug is accessible.
- Contact the manufacturer to arrange a free-of-charge modification by a qualified engineer. Do not use the machine until the work has been completed and confirmed safe.
- If your machine was previously modified before 1 August 2025 — contact the manufacturer again regardless. Your machine may require a further visit under the updated programme.
The full OPSS safety notice and current list of affected models is published on the UK Government website. Whitegoods Help recommends checking this directly, as the affected model list may be updated over time.
View the official OPSS safety report for this recall on GOV.UK →
Recall 2: Whirlpool / Hotpoint / Indesit / Creda / Swan / Proline — vented and condenser dryers
Machines manufactured: April 2004 to September 2015. Recall status: Active for any unmodified machines still in use.
This is a separate, older and larger recall that has been ongoing since 2015. Vented and condenser tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 under several brand names were found to have a fault where lint and fluff could build up near the heating element, presenting a fire risk during use.
The scale of this recall is significant. The fault originally affected 5.2 million dryers and has caused at least 750 confirmed fires in the UK. Despite years of recall activity and a full government recall order in 2019, a substantial number of unmodified machines were estimated to remain in UK homes. Some may still be in use today.
Which brands are affected?
| Brand | Manufactured | Check your appliance |
|---|---|---|
| Hotpoint | April 2004 – September 2015 | safety.hotpoint.eu |
| Indesit | April 2004 – September 2015 | safety.hotpoint.eu |
| Creda | April 2004 – September 2015 | safety.hotpoint.eu |
| Swan | April 2004 – September 2015 | safety.hotpoint.eu |
| Proline | April 2004 – September 2015 | safety.hotpoint.eu |
Whirlpool-branded tumble dryers are not part of this recall. Only the five brands listed above are affected. The recall covers vented and condenser dryers only — not heat pump models, which fall under Recall 1 if applicable.
What should you do?
- Find your model number. Usually on a label inside the door, on the rear panel, or in your original paperwork.
- Check at safety.hotpoint.eu by entering your model number. You can also call the Whirlpool helpline on 0800 151 0905.
- If your machine is unmodified and affected — unplug it and stop using it immediately.
- Contact Whirlpool to arrange a free replacement. Under the full recall order, owners of unmodified machines are entitled to a replacement machine delivered and installed at no cost, with the old machine removed.
Machines modified under the original Whirlpool programme are considered safe. If you are unsure whether your machine was modified, check using the model checker or call 0800 151 0905.
What are your consumer rights?
The following is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, contact Citizens Advice or your local Trading Standards service.
The primary legislation relevant to these recalls in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is:
- Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 — the specific regulation under which both recalls are being enforced by the OPSS. Electrical appliances must meet defined safety objectives when placed on the market. Where they do not, the manufacturer is required to take corrective action. This is the legislation cited in the official OPSS safety reports for the Haier recall.
- General Product Safety Regulations 2005 — the broader framework requiring all consumer products to be safe when used as intended. Still current in Great Britain, though the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 (which received Royal Assent on 21 July 2025) is enabling legislation that gives the government powers to update and reform this framework over time through future secondary legislation. No immediate changes to consumer rights have yet been made under this Act.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 — provides rights when purchasing goods from a retailer, including entitlement to repair, replacement or refund depending on the circumstances and age of the product.
In practical terms, for both recalls on this page, all remedies are free of charge and arranged directly by the manufacturer. You should not be asked to pay anything for an engineer visit, modification or replacement machine. Where a safety defect has been formally identified, your rights are not limited to the manufacturer’s standard warranty period.
If you experience difficulty getting a satisfactory response from a manufacturer, contact the Office for Product Safety and Standards, Citizens Advice, or your local Trading Standards service.
From 13 December 2024, Northern Ireland operates under the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation (2023/988) rather than the UK’s General Product Safety Regulations 2005. The practical consumer rights and recall processes described on this page remain the same, but the underlying legal framework differs. Visit GOV.UK product safety alerts for current guidance applicable to Northern Ireland.
Tumble dryer fire safety — advice for all households
Regardless of whether your machine is subject to a recall, tumble dryers are one of the most common causes of domestic fires in the UK. The following precautions apply to all makes and models:
- Never leave a tumble dryer running unattended — do not run it while you are out of the house or asleep
- Clean the lint filter after every single cycle — a blocked filter is a leading cause of overheating
- Clean the condenser unit regularly — on condenser and heat pump dryers, hair and fluff accumulate on the heat exchanger grille and should be cleared every few months
- Ensure vents are not blocked — do not push the machine flush against a wall if it has a rear vent
- Do not dry items contaminated with flammable substances — cooking oils, petrol and similar products remain a fire risk even after washing
- Fit and test smoke alarms — particularly in rooms where the tumble dryer is located
Register your appliance — a simple step that matters
If your appliance is registered with the manufacturer, you will be contacted directly in the event of a safety notice or recall. Without registration, you may only find out through media coverage — or not at all.
Registration is free and takes a couple of minutes. You can register any appliance at registermyappliance.org.uk — the official government-backed appliance registration service.
You can also check for any current UK product safety alerts at the OPSS product safety database on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my tumble dryer is affected by the Haier recall?
First, check the rating plate inside the door of your machine. A “J7” marking means it has received the correct updated modification and is safe. An “HM1” marking or no marking at all means the correct modification has not been applied and the machine should not be used. Also enter your 16-digit serial number at the relevant manufacturer link in the table above. Brands covered include Haier, Candy, Hoover, Baumatic, Caple, Iberna, Lamona and Montpellier — all with separate check pages.
My tumble dryer was already modified — is it still safe?
For the Haier recall, this depends on when the modification took place. Machines modified before 1 August 2025 may still be at risk — the OPSS determined in August 2025 that the original modification was inadequate. Check your rating plate for a J7 marking and contact your manufacturer to confirm. Machines that received the updated modification (after September 2025) showing J7 on the rating plate are considered safe.
How do I check a Hotpoint or Indesit tumble dryer?
Go to safety.hotpoint.eu and enter your model number, or call 0800 151 0905. This recall covers vented and condenser dryers made between April 2004 and September 2015 under the Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline brands. Whirlpool-branded machines are not included.
Can I carry on using my tumble dryer while waiting for the modification?
No. Official guidance from the OPSS and the London Fire Brigade is clear: if your appliance is confirmed as affected, stop using it immediately and unplug it where possible. Do not continue using the machine while waiting for an engineer to visit.
Will the repair or replacement cost me anything?
No. Both recalls provide free-of-charge modifications or replacements. You should not be charged for any engineer visit, modification or replacement machine under either programme. If a manufacturer attempts to charge you, contact Citizens Advice or your local Trading Standards service.
My machine is not covered by either recall — is it safe?
Not being subject to a specific recall does not mean the risk is zero. Always clean the lint filter after every use, never run the machine unattended, and ensure smoke alarms are fitted and tested in your home. Check the OPSS alerts database periodically for any new notices affecting your appliance.
I bought my affected tumble dryer second-hand — am I still entitled to a free repair?
Yes. Both recall programmes apply to the product regardless of whether it was purchased new or second-hand. Contact the manufacturer directly using the links in the relevant recall section above.