Unplug and stop using affected Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline models

Whirlpool – parent company of the Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline brands – has told consumers to unplug and stop using faulty tumble dryers, which can pose a fire risk.

The company had previously stated people could continue to use the affected dryers while waiting for them to receive the safety modification, as long as they were not left unattended.

Now, Hotpoint, Indesit and Swan websites all state: “If your tumble dryer is affected by this issue then you should unplug it and do not use it until the modification has taken place.”

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A statement provided by Whirlpool read: “Trading Standards confirmed, following an internal review by independent experts, that the modification programme remains the most effective way of resolving this issue. Since the launch of this campaign, safety has been our number one priority. We have consistently responded to the advice of Trading Standards and continue to do so.

“Trading Standards have now notified us that updated usage should be communicated to consumers and we are implementing this. Trading Standards have confirmed that our actions to date in this campaign have been undertaken diligently and responsibly.

“The success of this programme depends on as many customers as possible registering with us for a modification. We are now very close to having provided resolutions for all those customers who have registered. To date, 1.5million consumers have registered and of these, we have resolved more than 1.3million cases.”

Whirlpool will continue with its modification programme for dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 under the Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline brands.

The Whirlpool brand of tumble dryers is not affected.

It is estimated that 3.8million affected tumble dryers were in the market at the start of the modification campaign and the company has sent reminder letters to 2.4million consumers who have not registered their dryers.

Whirlpool further estimated there are 100,000 customers who have registered but not responded to the company’s attempts to arrange a modification.

It stated the “vast majority” of incidents have been product failures resulting in no damage external to the machine and the overall risk level remains low.