How to check if your tumble dryer is a safety risk

Whirlpool said more than four million of its tumble dryers, sold under the Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda brands, were at risk of catching fire.

However despite that warning in 2015, some customers are still waiting for theirs to be fixed.

On Wednesday, the company advised all affected customers to "unplug" their tumble dryers and "do not use" them.

Here is what to do if you are affected:

  • What is the problem?

A fire safety notice has been issue to a number of Whirlpool tumble dryers because of excess fluff coming into contact with the heating element.

This appears to have been the cause of a number of blazes including a huge fire in an 18-storey London tower block in Shepherd's Bush.

London Fire Brigade has now urged owners to stop using the machines COMPLETELY unless modifications are carried out.

  • Which machines are affected?

Condenser and vented dryers have been identified as being at risk Credit: Hotpoint

  • Hotpoint

  • Indesit

  • Creda

Tumble dryers made by these brands between April 2004 and September 2015 are subject to the fire safety notice.

  • How to determine if your machine is affected?

If your machine has a green dot then no action is required Credit: Hotpoint

Customers can check whether their machine's specific model number is affected by looking on Indesit and Hotpoint safety sites (Creda owners can check via the Hotpoint site).

According to the safety warning, if your product has a green "dot" sticker on the door area or on the back plate, no action is required.

  • Where can a machine's model number be found?

Owners can check their models on the Indesit and Hotpoint websites Credit: Indesit

The full model number can be found on a tag located either on the back of the dryer door or in the recess of the dryer door.

  • What should owners of potentially affected tumble dryers do?

- Contact Indesit on 0800 151 0905 if they have any concerns and have not yet been contacted about their tumble dryer.

- Continue to use appliances but until updated follow the original instructions for using the appliance.

- Do not leave the appliance unattended during operation.

- Check the lint filter after every cycle.

- Ensure proper venting as directed in the original operating manual.