Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is supporting the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) campaign by asking people to register their old and new appliances to reduce the risk house fires.
Thousands of people are missing out on product safety warnings and failing to register the most commonly used household items (fridges, freezers and washing machines) *. There are over 100-million large appliances in use in our homes and we keep them a very long time, but only 47% of people registered the last product they bought **. This leaves the majority untraceable if a safety action becomes necessary.
Usually a simple, free, in-home fix by a qualified technician is all that is needed to put the product back on track for a long safe life, but manufacturers need to be able to identify and contact owners quickly to organise a repair.
Station Manager, Pete Farmer from RBFRS’ Prevention department, said: “This January and throughout the year for that matter, we are asking people to take the time to register their appliances. Registering both your older appliances and new ones can help keep your home, yourself and your loved ones safe. The AMDEA portal includes most manufacturers as well as the registration of large white goods that are up to 12 years old.”
AMDEA’s website (www.registermyappliance.org.uk) provides quick and easy access to the registration pages of 62 leading brands.
The register my appliance portal has a growing number of supporters including; the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), Age UK, Citizens Advice and Electrical Safety First (ESF). The portal provides advice on correct maintenance, safe usage and installation, product standards and testing, guarantees and warranties, consumer rights, a product recall listing and the AMDEA Code of Practice on Product Safety.
* ONS, Family Spending 2012, Table A48
** Consumer Survery by Populus, on behalf of Electrical safety First, 4-6 December 2015