People are being urged to improve their home safety by taking the simple step of registering their fridges, freezers and washing machines on the new, streamlined version of: www.registermyappliance.org.uk.

Developed by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), the website allows householders to be contacted quickly if a recall or free safety repair is ever needed on their appliance. The site has now been optimised for smartphones, making registration of over sixty leading brands of old and new appliances faster and easier on phones, tablets or PC.

As part of the national fire safety campaign, Avon Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Register my Appliance Day by encouraging local people to visit the website to protect their homes and families.

Every registration ensures the traceability of these products, with most manufacturers accepting registrations of large appliances up to twelve years old.

Research by YouGov shows that less than half of owners (46%) register the fridges they have bought. Primarily appliances aren’t registered because they don’t think it’s necessary (39%).

Similarly, almost a third (29%) of households found a fridge in situ when they moved into their current property, and although they continue using it, the great majority (80%) have no idea if it is registered. Very few people (15%) realise they can register an appliance with the manufacturer, even if they acquired it second hand or inherited it.

Group Manager, Steve Quinton from Avon Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We have been working hard to help our local community to understand why registration is so important.

“These large powerful machines like washing machines, fridges and freezers are indispensable, yet we tend to take them for granted and forget they are there. It is vital they are installed and used according to the instructions and registered so that householders can be contacted immediately if a safety recall is issued.”

On Register my Appliance Day (16th January), manufacturers sent reminders to over four million consumers to register their products.

The campaign is also supported by the Local Government Association, RoSPA, Trading Standards, Citizens Advice, Electrical Safety First and leading private and social landlord groups.