Consumer champion Which? has called for all plastic-backed refrigeration products to be urgently removed from sale due to fire risk.

Since the tragedy of Grenfell, a closer eye has been kept on the tests which household appliances are put through, since the fire started from a faulty fridge.

After delving into the safety testing of different appliances, Which? Found a shocking 555 different models of fridge, freezers and fridge-freezer did not meet the safety requirements, putting hundreds of homes in danger.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner (DAC) Charlie Pugsley said: “Not covering a fridge back in fully fire retardant material is an unnecessary risk and there are still too many appliances on sale without this in place.

News Shopper:

“There is around one fire a day in London which involves white goods and while most fridges and freezers work safely for years, they are potentially the most dangerous appliance in the home if they are involved in a blaze because they contain so many flammable materials."

The investigation claimed that the plastic backing identified by some manufacturers as ‘flame retardant’ could in fact speed up a fire.

Which? is working with London Fire Brigade (LFB) to campaign for these items to be banned unless they are able to withstand basic testing.

LFB released a video to show the true devastation a plastic backed fridge or freezer can have, comparing it to a metal backed appliance.

From the video we can see that the plastic backed fridge when on fire can consume the fridge within a minute, whereas the metal backed appliance withstood and therefore would be easier to put out before it destroyed the kitchen .

Which? And LFB are campaigning for:

  • A single government backed product recall database
  • Recall notices to be better publicised to reduce confusion
  • Greater regulation of second-hand appliances
  • Changes to the way that fridges and freezers are manufactured
  • All appliances to be marked with a model and serial number to allow identification after a fire

What you can do

  • Don’t ignore it if your white goods start making a noise
  • Check your appliances haven’t been recalled
  • Always keep your white goods in a safe place out of the way and avoid keeping them in escape routes such as hallways and landings
  • Fit smoke and heat alarms
  • Register your appliance