Washing machine owners must re-check for fire risk

Advice for owners

Whirlpool has set up a model checker online. Owners of Hotpoint and Indesit washing machines bought since October 2014 will need to enter the model and serial number of their appliance – found inside the door or on the back – to see if it is one of those affected.

Those who have previously checked, and been given the all clear, may need to check again. The company said it could contact 60% of those with the newly affected models, but customers should check.

There is also a free helpline, open every day, available on 0800 316 1442.

Slots for a modification or replacement machine are available straight away.

The model numbers of the appliances which have been added to the list, three weeks after the initial recall launch, owing to further analysis by the company.

They are WMAQC641PUK, WMAQG741PUK, and WMFG741GUK.

Jeff Noel, vice president of Whirlpool, said: “With more than 30% of the affected products now accounted for, this campaign has already surpassed the UK average for a product recall campaign by a significant margin.

“While this is good progress, we know there is still work to do. That’s why we are working seven days a week to look after our customers and running a widespread campaign to raise awareness.

“We are deeply sorry to our customers for the inconvenience this recall may cause but we are taking action because it is the right thing to do for people’s safety. We will do whatever it takes to put the situation right.”

The company has already been dealing with the recall of more than five million tumble dryers, sold over 11 years, which were found to be a fire danger.