More Concern Over Beko Products

26 February 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 26 February 2013, 11:09

Heart's been told tens of thousands of homes could still be using dangerous cookers, tumble dryers and fridge freezers made by Watford-based company Beko.

A number of specific Beko appliance models are believed to have caught fire or released carbon monoxide in recent years. 

Jill Paterson, who's representing some of the alleged victims, claims the company didn't warn customers of the dangers quickly enough.

"The London Fire Brigade warned Beko of potential problems with it in 2010, and Beko didn't actually recall the product until July 2011 nearly a year later," she said.

This is strongly denied by Beko who say the corrective action for frost-free fridge freezers was launched in April 2011 when they sent out the first of their two customer mailings.

A client of Ms Paterson is Jennifer Benjamin, whose husband Santosh Benjamin was killed as he saved his two children after a fire in his home in North London. According to reports investigators found a Beko fridge freezer at the heart of the fire. An inquest is due to take place into the death of Mr Benjamin, and legal action has begun on behalf of Mrs Benjamin.

A statement by Beko says: "Beko sincerely regrets any incident linked to any of our products. We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of affected customers.

"The company strongly rejects any accusations that we have not acted as timely or comprehensively as possible to initiate the three corrective action programs. Beko has always acted in accordance with regulatory guidance, co-operated with all relevant authorities and abided by all accepted standards of industry practice.

"Beko has mobilised every resource at its disposal to rectify and raise awareness of the three product issues. Activities include customer letters, outbound calling, national, regional and specialist media safety notice advertising, the ‘Be a Hero’ public information campaign, leafleting and door knocking campaigns as well asposting extensive safety information on our website."

If you have any concerns about Beko appliances in your home you can visit their website a www.beko.co.uk or call their customer care centre on free phone 0800 917 2018. The customer care centre is open Monday – Friday 08.00 – 20.00 and 10.00 – 16.00 Saturday and Sunday.