17 March 2016
Trading Standards and the States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service are issuing Islanders with advice following an increasing number of product safety notices and recalls in circulation.
Most recently, Whirlpool UK issued a safety notice regarding a large number of Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline tumble dryers in circulation.
Whirlpool have identified a potential concern with condenser and vented 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 fire risk.
Risk of causing a fire
Chief Fire Officer of the States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service, Mark James said “Fire statistics show that large kitchen appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers are at greater risk of causing a fire than other household appliances such as TVs.
Such items often have powerful motors and moving parts which can get very hot. In light of recent safety concerns about tumble dryers, the States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service are adopting similar advice to that given by the National Chief Fire Officers Association, and that is if you own and use a product that has been identified in a safety notice, we would recommend you do not use the appliance until it has been attended to by the manufacturer.
In order to stay safe, Jersey Fire & Rescue Service recommend the following:
- make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on using and maintaining your electrical appliances
- fit smoke and or heat detectors to your home. You should have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and they should be tested weekly
- don’t turn on appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers when you are going to bed or going out
- turn off electrical appliances when they are not in use
- never tackle a fire yourself – get out, stay out and call 999
Islanders with the relevant make of appliance should go to the Hotpoint website where they can check to see if their make and model is affected, register to have an engineer visit to carry out a modification, and get advice from the manufacturer on what to do in the meantime. A number of local service engineers are currently carrying out this work.
Register for alerts
Director of Trading Standards, Alison de Bourcier is encouraging Islanders to register for notification of product recalls and safety notices published on www.gov.je/recalls.
She said “It is increasingly difficult for consumers and businesses to keep up to speed with product recalls and safety notices.
“Safety is our primary concern. It is really important that you are informed of any potential safety issues and know what to do if you think you have an affected product.
“Older and vulnerable members of society are often the focus of ‘Safe and Well’ visits by many different departments and volunteer groups. We are asking that you help these people check their appliances and assist them in registering. Older people are more likely to own unregistered appliances that are at least ten years old. They may not have access to the web to register appliances or check on previous recalls or safety notices.
“In the case of the Whirlpool safety notice, you need to take action to minimise the risk of fire. Whirlpool believe that 5.3 million appliances in the UK and Ireland have been affected.”
Trading Standards monitor recalls and safety notices from a number of different sources and posts relevant details at www.gov.je/recalls
You can also sign up to receive an email alert when a new recall or safety notice is posted, and products are categorised so you only receive notices you are interested in, for example electrical goods, food and drink or nursery products.
If you have any concerns at all, please contact Trading Standards for advice.
Link to check your appliance on the Hotpoint website https://safety.hotpoint.eu/
Call a dedicated helpline 0800 151 0905
Check product recall or safety notices or sign up for alerts www.gov.je/recalls
Email: Trading Standards
Call Trading Standards (01534) 448160
gov.je