Urgent Safety Check Issued for 85,000 Tumble Dryers Over Fire Risk

Households across St Neots have been warned to check their tumble dryers immediately after a serious fire risk was identified in tens of thousands of machines.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has confirmed that around 85,000 integrated heat pump tumble dryers manufactured by Haier remain unsafe and must not be used until a safety modification is carried out.

The affected dryers were sold under multiple popular brands, including Baumatic, Candy, Caple, Haier, Hoover, Iberna, Lamona, and Montpellier.

An OPSS spokesperson said: “An internal short circuit can occur during normal use of these tumble dryers, which can cause them to ignite unexpectedly. Owners should stop using affected machines immediately and arrange a safety repair.”

What Consumers Need to Do

Owners of the affected appliances are urged to:

1. Check the model and serial number via the manufacturer’s website.

2. Contact the manufacturer immediately to arrange a free repair.

3. Stop using the tumble dryer until the repair is completed.

4. Switch off and unplug the appliance, if possible.

Haier initially launched a repair programme earlier this year covering 103,000 machines. However, the OPSS paused the programme after concerns that the original modification did not fully address the risk. A revised repair solution has now been implemented, with Haier contacting customers again to arrange the work.

A Haier spokesperson said: “We have prioritised arranging second repairs for machines previously modified and are now reaching out to the remaining 85,000 customers whose appliances still present a fire risk. All repairs are free of charge.”

Fire Safety Advice

Officials stress that tumble dryer fires can spread quickly, and that consumers should never attempt to use an affected dryer until it has been repaired. Checking your appliance and acting promptly could prevent serious damage or injury.

For more information and to check if your tumble dryer is affected, visit: https://bit.ly/4adsXDA