ACCC deputy chairwoman Delia Rickard says if you own a top-loading Samsung, "you must check the model number".
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More than 45,000 Samsung washing machines could still be posing a serious fire risk to Australian homes, despite a recall of six unsafe models.
Two years ago, Samsung recalled 144,000 potentially dangerous machines, but 45,047 were still unaccounted for, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said on Tuesday.
"Each of these machines is a fire risk and the ACCC is working with Samsung and NSW Fair Trading to try and locate these machines. If moisture penetrates the machine's electrical connectors, a fire hazard can result. There have been reports of 252 fires/smoking incidents with the recalled models," ACCC deputy chairwoman Delia Rickard said.
"We are appealing to everyone visiting family and friends these holidays to help them check their washing machines. If the machine is a top-loading Samsung, you must check the model number on the back of the machine or in the product manual." The troubled washing machines were repaired in some instances, but there has been vocal criticism of dodgy repairs leading to fires.
Joel and Angela Hudson, of New Lambton in Newcastle, experienced the "deficiency" of the NSW Fair Trading-approved rework first-hand when their repaired top loader caused a fire that led to a "total loss of $270,000" in August.
Fairfax Media has previously reported the case of Liz Herbert, from Avoca Beach, whose machine caught on fire after being fixed.
The affected Samsung models
Sydney Morning Herald
