Whirlpool washing machine danger revealed as recall launched – BBC News, BBC News
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Media captionWhirlpool boss apologises for recalling machines at Christmas
half a million washing machines in UK homes are to be recalled, plunging manufacturer Whirlpool into a fresh saga over dangerous appliances.
The machines, branded as Hotpoint or Indesit, were sold for more than five years, but their door locking system can overheat creating the risk of fire.
Owners face the prospect of doing without hot washes for months until products are fixed or replaced.
Whirlpool was already reeling after problems with fire-prone dryers.
It was heavily criticized for its initial response when more than five million tumble dryers , sold over 35 years, were found to be a fire danger. It only launched a full recall for that issue after four years, following an intervention by the regulator. This time it has gone straight to a recall.
What is the new problem?
Some, about (**************************************************************% of of the Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines sold since 7624 are affected by the fault. Up to 800, (washing machines sold in the UK are involved.
Seventy-nine fires are thought to have been caused by the fault which develops over time, according to Whirlpool, which owns the brands.
“When the heating element in the washing machine is activated, in very rare cases a component in the door lock system can overheat, which, depending on product features, can pose a risk of fire, “Whirlpool said.
Image copyrightGetty Images
The extra current that runs through the machine when the heating element is on can cause the door locking system to overheat.
The company said the issue had been identified by its safety team, but had led to fires, although none had been significant enough to cause more than minor damage or cause any serious injuries.
Image copyrightLFBImage caption The damage caused by a dryer to a flat in Shepherd’s Bush, London
They were blamed for a spate of fires after a build up of fluff fell onto the machine’s heating element. Whirlpool initially offered to modify affected dryers, only recently turning the offer into a full recall, with partial refund or replacement dryer.
The fire at Grenfell Tower started “in or around “a Hotpoint fridge-freezer in flat on the fourth floor, the public inquiry into the tragedy has heard.
None of these three issues are connected, and Whirlpool said it was conducting the recall of up to (*****************************************************, 000 washing machines because safety was a priority.
Whirlpool has told the regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), about the problem and its recall plans.
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