White Good Manufacturer Has Issued Safety Alert For Thousands Of Condensing Models Over Concerns They Could Pose Fire Risk

White goods manufacturer Beko has issued a safety alert for thousands of tumble dryers over concerns they could pose a fire risk.

Expert product liability lawyers at leading law firm Irwin Mitchell say that the recall should not be overlooked by consumers.

According to Beko, 3,450 of its condenser tumble dryers could pose a fire risk due to an overheating “third party supplied” component. The manufacturer has begun a voluntary repair programme as a precaution.

The safety notice concerns five Beko and Blomberg 8kg and 9kg capacity machines sold between May and November of 2012. They carry the model numbers DCU9330W, DCU9330R, DCU8230, DSC85W and TKF8439A.

Beko has urged consumers to check the model and serial number of dryers on its website and, if affected, to stop using it immediately and disconnect it from the wall as a precaution. Customers should then register for an engineer to check and if necessary repair the machine.

When serious incidents do occur, consumers can face a complicated battle with the seller of the product or the manufacturer. The law applying to defective products is complex and can leave affected individuals with no easy right of redress.

Irwin Mitchell is running its Safety As Standard campaign in response to the risk which consumers are exposed to by the current system.

Expert Opinion

“Decisions to recall products, are not taken lightly and anyone who owns a Beko dryer with a recalled serial number should cease using it and contact the manufacturer as soon as possible.

“We’ve seen first-hand the devastating injuries that can be caused by defective products and they can be life-changing for families so it is imperative that safety investigations identify how this fault got through the testing process.

“Product recalls protect consumers from risks by removing potentially dangerous products from the domestic environment. It is good news that Beko has identified safety risks and is taking steps to protect consumers. This is an important issue that cannot be overlooked “ Matthew Newbould - Associate Solicitor

In August last year a coroner found that a defective Beko DCS 85W - listed as DSC85W under the safety alert - caused a house fire that killed mother-of-two Mishell Moloney in her bedroom, although Beko has said that the fault relating to the fatal blaze was separate from the problem identified in the safety alert.

The 49-year-old was found to have died after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes and smoke caused by a small fire in the tumble dryer in the downstairs kitchen.

Birmingham Coroner's Court heard that Beko had received reports of 20 previous fires in the same model, but none had the defect thought to have caused the blaze that killed Ms Moloney.

Recording a narrative verdict, Area Coroner for Birmingham and Solihull, Emma Brown, said: "It's my conclusion Mishell's death was due to smoke inhalation from a fire that was caused by the Beko tumble dryer within her kitchen.

"The source within the tumble dryer was the printed control board (PCB).”

As the UK’s largest personal injury firm, the firm is fighting for reform of existing product liability law; working with charities, consumer agencies and retailers to help raise standards; and campaigning to educate its clients and the general public about the risks of defective products and the consumer rights available to those affected by them.

You can find out more about Irwin Mitchell’s Safety As Standard campaign here.