According to a recent survey only 55% of over 65 year olds register their ovens, fridges and washing machines, so thousands miss out on vital, free, product safety repairs.
Whilst safety recalls on these large white goods are rare, if a problem arises it is crucial that homes with the affected models can be contacted quickly and particularly that older, vulnerable, owners are not left off the radar.
To make it simpler for everyone to register their appliances, the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) has created registermyappliance.org.uk, a user friendly website that provides quick access to the registration pages of over 60 leading brands of domestic appliances. The public can also register their new and older appliances (up to 12 years old).
Marc House, Community Safety Prevention Manager said: “We run a programme of home safety checks and particularly try to visit the older, vulnerable, residents in our communities to fit smoke alarms and give advice. Helping elderly parents to register their appliances is a very simple and sensible step to help keep them safe.”
According to Age UK, senior surfers are on the increase with 4.6 million aged 65+ online, with the number using the internet overtaking those who have never used it, for the first time in 2013. This is a reassuring trend and the registermyappliance initiative aims to encourage all ages to go online and register their appliances.
However focus group research carried out in November 2014 by AMDEA found that retired users aged 60+, found it more difficult to complete online registration forms as they lacked the intuitive computer knowledge of younger people or of those in employment who use computers daily. This, along with the Age UK estimated 6 million aged 65+ without internet access, means that the older population could do with some guidance in this area.
Do your bit to help a parent or an elderly neighbour who can’t go online or maybe just finds it difficult. You would be ensuring their safety by registering their appliances at www.registermyappliance.org.uk.
