GLOUCESTERSHIRE residents are advised by the fire service to check the safety measures of their tumble dryers after a number of fires.

The affected brands are Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda.

New advice from the manufacturer Whirlpool is that if your machine is affected by the fire safety concerns unplug it and do not use it until the free modification has been made.

The county’s trading standards service has received a number of enquiries about the safety of a number of domestic appliances, particularly the named brands of tumble dryer.

Gloucestershire Trading Standards’ advice is that any appliance believed to be faulty should be unplugged and not used until it has been checked and either found to be safe to use or it has been repaired or replaced.

Stewart Edgar, chief fire officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We strongly urge residents to check their tumble dryers using the website.

"If you know anyone who is unable to check their appliances, please help them by checking for them.

"The message is simple: if your tumble dryer is affected by this issue unplug it and don’t use it until the modification has taken place."

Andy Hermiston, head of Gloucestershire Trading Standards, said: "Following several fires, both our fire service and trading standards teams have been promoting the need for residents to check their appliances are safe to use before doing so.

"I would urge everyone to check their appliances and help more vulnerable people in our community to check theirs and not use it until the fix has been made."

Whirlpool have an online self service model checker and offer advice on what to do if your model is included at www.safety.hotpoint.eu/index.jsp.

The fire service are also able to help residents check their tumble dryers as part of their Safe and Well visits.

You can book a visit by calling 0800 180 41 40 or visiting www.glosfire.gov.uk.

You can also register your appliances so that you can be contacted if a safety repair is ever needed through www.registermyappliance.org.uk.