Help prevent house fires by getting household appliances registered, urge firefighters

National data shows just a third of people who acquire equipment such as televisions, fridges and washing machines actually log their purchase with companies who made them, leaving tens of thousands of people untraceable should a safety recall be required.

Local firefighters are backing a new web portal launched by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), which is designed to make it easier and quicker for people to register their goods.

Reducing the risk

Logging up-to-date and accurate contact information relating to specific models within the past 12 years allows manufacturers to issue safety updates or repair notifications to the correct homes, reducing the risk of a fire potentially occurring because of faulty goods.

The website provides access to the registration pages of 47 leading brands of domestic appliances.

Get peace of mind

David Heycock, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's Home and Community Safety Manager, said: "Everybody should take this opportunity to register their domestic appliances, to reduce the risk of home fires and for their own peace of mind - good ownership data is key to getting safety information to the people that need it."

Councillor Rodney Rose, the Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, who has Cabinet responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: "I would certainly encourage people to listen to the advice that is being given out and invest a little time to register their appliances. The last thing anybody wants is a fire in the home and people can cut down the risk of one by getting in contact with the relevant manufacturers."

AMDEA members have pledged that information received from the public will only be used to issue safety notices.

The AMDEA website also 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.