Lives at risk from faulty appliances, fire chiefs warn ministers

More people will die in fires caused by faulty white goods if the Government does not take urgent action, according to a letter signed by London's mayor and the London Fire Brigade.

Safety groups are joining the call for Prime Minister Theresa May to create a centralised Government website to allow consumers to check if their household appliances are subject to a product recall.

The London Fire Brigade says nearly one fire a day in London involves white goods.

The call comes following the Grenfell Tower fire, in which at least 80 people died, which started in a fridge-freezer on one of the lower floors.

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It also comes a year on from a fire at Shepherd's Court tower block in west London, which was caused by a faulty tumble dryer.

The letter has been signed by the London Fire Commissioner, Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Fire Brigades Union, National Fire Chiefs Council and the Electrical Safety First group.

"Thousands of dangerous white goods are still being used in homes across the UK," the letter says.

"A year on (from the Shepherd's Bush fire) people across the UK are still using white goods that pose a serious fire risk and are subject to recall or corrective action.

"Worse still, some fridges and freezers are still being produced with a flammable plastic backing, which offers very little protection against the insulation foam inside catching alight if a fire starts.

"There has been over three years of reports and recommendations but as yet no action from Government."

It goes on to call for a national Government database on product recalls.

"There are some simple things the Government can do. For instance, it is extremely difficult for consumers to check if appliances they have in their home are subject to product recall," it says.

"We believe there should be one, trusted, searchable place to look up your appliances - this should be set up centrally on gov.uk."

There is also a call for an improvement in manufacturing standards for white goods, including ensuring all appliances are marked with the model/serial number so they can be identified after a fire.

The letter also demands improvements in the assessments of how safe white goods are with regard to fire risk when people are asleep.

It acknowledges that a Government working group published its recommendations into a review of the UK product recall system in July this year, but said it was "extremely concerned" that no action has yet been taken.