GLOUCESTERSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is urging residents to take a few minutes to check their fridge freezers to improve their home safety, following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in London.

A statement by Metropolitan Police Service identified a Hotpoint FF175BP fridge freezer as the initial source of the Grenfell Tower fire that started in the early hours of Wednesday, June 14.

The government have since stated that anyone that owns model of Hotpoint fridge freezer FF175BP (white) or FF175BG (grey), produced between 2006 and 2009, should call Whirlpool Corporation’s freephone hotline on 0800 316 3826 or visit www.hotpointservice.co.uk/fridgefreezer to register their details for further updates.

GFRS is encouraging residents to follow this guidance as soon as possible, to help keep themselves, their family and property safe from harm.

They also suggest using the www.registermyappliance.org.uk website to check your other white goods.

This website, designed by The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMEDA), ensures that householders can be contacted swiftly if a safety repair is ever needed.

Stewart Edgar, chief fire officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “What happened at Grenfell Tower was truly tragic and our thoughts go out to all of those affected.

“Since then we have been reassuring residents in the county by carrying out building inspections around Gloucestershire. We will continue to work with residents and businesses in Gloucestershire to ensure our communities are as safe as they can possibly be and this includes checking your white goods.

“By following this advice and checking your white goods on the Government website, you can help to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.”

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It is really important that residents take not of this advice and check their fridge freezers.

“Sadly fires in the home can and do happen, as we have seen with the horrific events at Grenfell Tower.

“However, by registering any large appliances you have, you can help to reduces the risk of a fire in the home.”

People with concerns about product safety can also call the Citizens Advice consumer service line on 03454 04 05 06.

The Government website on product recalls, which will be updated should further action on the product be necessary, can be found at www.gov.uk/productrecall.

If anyone has concerns or requires advice on any aspect of fire safety, contact 01452 888777, visit www.glosfire.gov.uk or email: fire@glosfire.gov.uk.