Unlike large dehumidifiers that are expensive and can take up lots of space, a moisture absorber could do the trick for targeting specific areas.
Due to its small size, it can be placed on windowsills or in tight corners, plus you can move it around to tackle different rooms.
It contains absorbent crystals, which soak up excess moisture from the air and collect it as water which can then be emptied.
Unlike the bead-filled bags you can buy, these are neatly tucked away within the minimal outer shell, which comes in five colours.
The bags last up to 90 days, and you can buy inexpensive refills on Lakeland’s website when you need a replacement.
One handy thing is that because the dehumidifier alternative requires no power, it won’t run up your electricity bill like a large gadget could.
Although it’s very newly launched, shoppers have started leaving their feedback on the Absodry Mini Moisture Absorber, praising how effective it is.
One shopper said: ‘’Great little unit, takes moisture out of my room, wake up in morning and doesn’t feel damp – great product.’’
Another shopper commented: ‘’I like the look of this item and have two.
‘’I have placed them in my bedrooms on the window sill.
‘’They are collecting moisture well, but on the colder nights there is still a little on the windows.’’
A third shopper added: ‘’I was given an Absodry Mini by someone who purchased it from Lakeland, its collected so much moisture from the air which is in my Bedroom.
‘’I’ve seen it reduce the condensation I get on my windows in the morning, I recommend getting one, I’m going to purchase the larger Absodry for my bathroom next as its always an issue when I shower.’’
Absodry Mini Moisture Absorber, £17.99
If you’ve got larger rooms and are looking for a more drastic fix, our round-up of the best dehumidifiers is worth taking a look at.
During the winter months, the best heated throws are great for keeping warm and cosy when you’re relaxing in bed or on the sofa.
We gave the gadget a high rating of 4.5/5, especially for how quickly it worked: ‘’it reduced the humidity from well over 70% (classed as “too high”) to under 60% (classed as “okay”) in under half an hour.’’
The 12-litre capacity is ideal for small to medium-sized rooms, but there are 20L and 25L options for larger or open plan spaces.
Like all dehumidifiers, the Amazon model pulls in humid air, cools it, and it’s then collected as water, which can be emptied.
One of the most handy uses for a dehumidifier in the colder months is to dry laundry.
As it can reduce moisture, placing it beside a drying rack is great for speeding up the time it takes to dry – and the laundry mode is an easy way to do it.
According to Amazon, it costs around 5p per hour to run, which would likely make it cheaper to run than a tumble dryer – which is a very costly appliance to run.
Amazon shoppers are praising the dehumidifier, and with over 800 people already having bought it, now’s a good time to invest ahead of winter.
One shopper said: ‘’Amazing!
‘’I have a basement flat and you can tell the difference it has made in just a week.
‘’No more damp smell.
‘’Very good at drying clothes too.’’
Another shopper commented: ‘’This has transformed the way I dry my washing, wish I had bought one years ago.
‘’Speeds up dry time and stops the house being full of condensation.
‘’Not too big, sits in the corner of the room, not noisy, cheap to run.’’
Devola 12L/day Low Energy Dehumidifier £124.99 (was £139.99)
If you’re still making up your mind on which dehumidifier to buy – check out our list of the best dehumidifiers to see what we thought of some of the top brands.
We’ve put the best air purifiers to the test too, trying 11 devices that clean, filter and remove odours from your home.
SHOPPERS are running to Dunelm for a gadget that heats up a room without the need for central heating.
Bargain hunters keen to keep bills in check this winter are snapping up the plug-in PTC heater, £18, from the retailer.
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The gadget is £18 from DunelmCredit: Dunelm
This gadget delivers through an efficient ceramic heating element.
The LED display and digital thermostat provide precise control over the temperature, and you can set the timer and choose from two fan speed settings.
Best of all it only costs 13p hour to run if you are on an average electricity tariff, though the exact amount depends on your individual rate.
The reviews for the gadget are glowing.
Read more on energy bills
One user said: “Good product, gives some decent heat out. Actually bought two of them. Well worth it.”
Another added: “Fabulous little heater, really pleased with this. Heats up my kitchen in no time.”
One user described the tool as “small and mighty”. The added: “Does the job for a small kitchen without any other heating source.”
It comes after it was confirmed the energy price cap would rise by 2% in October costing the average household more to heat their home.
There are plenty of other ways to help keep bills down and stay warm using gadgets that don’t cost too much to run.
For example, an electric throw can cost just 4p an hour – calculated using the average electricity unit rate in the UK for the period of 1 October to 31 December 2025 is 26.35 pence per kilowatt-hour.
Washing the blankets are usually easy too, as it is both machine washable and tumble dryer safe.
You can buy these blankets for around £30 and they’re perfect for when you’re on the sofa watching TV and don’t need to warm up the entire home.
Here are some handy tips to ease the effects of cold weather on your hands …
A pair of mitts can really help your hands through the winter months.
Wear gloves outside so that the cold air doesn’t zap the moisture out of your skin.
For washing up, protect your hands with rubber gloves. Apply hand cream before putting on the gloves and the warm water will help the cream soothe your hands.
Dry, brittle and split nails are a real pain in winter, when our hands are craving moisture. The answer may lie in your food cupboard.
Rubbing olive oil into your nails and cuticles each day can strengthen and soothe them, reducing the risk of splits.
Nursem is a handcare brand started by former children’s intensive care nurse Antonia Philp, whose hands were left cracked and sore from constant handwashing.
Or, to soothe winter hands, try this. Blitz 100g oats in a food mixer until it becomes a powder.
Add to a bowl of warm water with 50ml of olive oil. Soak hands for 10 minutes before drying and apply hand cream.
While we in the Sun Shopping team haven’t tested this car device ourselves, it comes with a wide range of features that are pretty impressive-looking for that low price.
It’s also gathered some rave reviews from happy drivers on Amazon.
It’s a 7-inch HD touchscreen that’s super easy to install: you just plug it into your car’s power outlet (it works with any 12-24V socket) and use either the suction cup or the base stand it comes with.
The screen itself is really sharp and clear.
It has a built-in speaker, but for a better sound experience, you can connect it to your car’s stereo using Bluetooth, an AUX cable, or by matching the FM radio frequency.
It works seamlessly with both iPhone and Android phones, so everyone can use it.
Basically, this gadget allows you to:
Connect wirelessly: Use wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by connecting your phone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Get real-time navigation: Send smart GPS navigation software, like Google Maps, from your phone directly on the screen.
Control with your voice: Use Siri or Android voice assistants to make calls, send messages, and control your music hands-free.
Mirror your phone: Cast your iPhone or Android screen to the large 7-inch display to watch videos or stream sports games.
Enjoy powerful audio: Play music through the device’s built-in speaker or connect to your car’s speakers for a richer sound.
One happy customer wrote: “Good, affordable and works perfectly.
“I bought this because it was affordable and I was curious to see how it would work in my car with navigation… I have to say, it performs much better than I expected.
“The screen size is just right, and installation was simple.
“I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a budget-friendly CarPlay option.”
Another buyer said: “Great CarPlay screen. Easy to fix to the dashboard and set up either wired or Bluetooth with phone.
Works really well with iPhone. Really good clear display and plays music well. Touchscreen is good and great for maps.”
And a third customer noted: “Fantastic price, great for using Maps to navigate.
“Android screen mirroring works perfectly, brilliant for Netflix or Spotify.”
Amazon has this marked as the ‘lowest price in 30 days’, so we’re not sure if it’s a temporary deal or if the price is going to stay like this for a while.
And one final note: while you might be able to cast video to the device’s screen, please drive carefully, folks. Keep those eyes on the road.
Aonerex Car Stereo, £36.99 (was £45.99)
Head to The Sun’s shopping motoring hub for more news and deals for car owners.
Lidl has unveiled a slew of products which are going on sale in the middle aisleCredit: Getty
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The range of products includes this incredible carpet washerCredit: Lidl
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Many different parkside products are on sale tooCredit: Lidl
Two separate sales are underway at the brand’s stores, with both kicking off on August 24.
The deals include the Clean-up Prices-Down deal and the Parkside sale.
The Clean-Up Prices-Down has seen a huge range of products go on sale for staggering low prices.
On the more expensive end of the spectrum, Tower Aquajet Plus Carpet Washer retails for just £69.99, while a Nimble Anti-Tangle Vac is selling for just £59.99.
Read More on Supermarkets
However, some products are selling for under £10.
The Livarno Home Extendable Handle is just £2.99, as is the brand’s mop head.
That means a full mop can be yours for just £5 when bought in Lidl’s middle aisle.
Other products on sale include a £17 Philips iron, a £9.99 clothes airer and a slew of cleaning pads for under £2.
The Parkside sale includes many of the garden tech brand’s products, some of which are included in the supermarket’s Lidl Plus promotion.
The Brand’s Long-Reach Hedge Trimmer normally costs £59.99, but is £10 less if you use Lidl Plus.
Lidl Launches £7.99 Extension Lead to Rival Screwfix’s £39.99 Gadget
The shovel with a root saw retails for £19.99, but is 25 per cent off when you use the store’s promotion.
Other products in the Parkside middle-aisle sale include a pressure washer, top handle petrol chainsaw and a variety of secateurs.
A range of Livarno gardenware covers are also available for £4.99.
Lidl regularly goes viral for its wide variety of products.
The supermarket is selling a vacuum cleaner which is £100 cheaper than the exact same one available on Bosch.
The Bosch Readyy’y Cordless Vacuum Cleaner costs just £99.99 on Lidl’s website.
Meanwhile, the hoover costs £199.99 on the Bosch website.
The vacuum can be used upright or handheld, making it perfect for cleaning floors and kitchen surfaces.
The device also folds completely flat, making it easy to clean in difficult to reach areas.
Motorists are flocking to Amazon to get their hands on a smart bit of car kit that’s seen a dramatic tumble in price.
The gadget is the second-generation Echo Auto, and it’s been picking up some proper rave reviews from blokes and lasses who have snapped it up.
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The Echo Auto will introduce hands-free Alexa control to your car
Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen), £19.99 (was £59.99)
Originally fetching a hefty £59.99, the nifty Echo Auto is currently on sale for just £19.99 on Amazon.
That’s a cracking deal and a perfect time for anyone looking to introduce some smart tech into their motor – and crucially, without splashing out a fortune.
This little gizmo is designed to be your co-pilot, letting you command Alexa while you’re busy at the wheel.
Hands-free control: You can talk to Alexa to play music, make calls, or set reminders without ever touching your phone.
Navigation: Get directions from apps like Google Maps just by asking Alexa where you want to go.
Play music: Listen to your favourite songs and podcasts from services like Spotify or Amazon Music.
Smart home control: You can ask Alexa to turn on your house lights or adjust the heat while you are driving home.
Hear your voice: It has special microphones that can hear you clearly over car noise, like the radio or air conditioner.
The 2nd-gen Echo Auto is a small and discreet piece of kit that slots right into your car.
It hooks up to your phone and your car’s speakers to bring a whole new level of voice control to your ride.
Getting it all set up is a doddle too. You just plug it into a spare USB slot, link it to your phone’s Alexa app, and you’re sorted.
This brilliant bit of kit has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with thousands of happy drivers raving about how it’s transformed their motors.
One buzzing punter, who slapped a 5-star rating on it, wrote: “Highly recommend this. Works in my 23-year-old Nissan Micra.
“Voice activated, can listen to a music playlist or podcasts, can make hands-free calls, listen to LBC, etc. Works brilliantly.”
Another shopper commented: “Works seamlessly… very useful as just a Bluetooth pass through to car speakers.”
Another chuffed buyer said: “Great piece of tech, [I] love Alexa at home.
“Now she comes on the road with us and, unlike my phone, she hears very well and plays whatever I want. Terrific.”
A proper ringing endorsement came from a verified customer who simply put: “This is an amazing piece of kit, highly recommend.”
Whether you want to listen to tunes, get directions, or just stay connected on the go, the Auto is a simple and cheap way to do it.
At that sale price, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.
Amazon Echo Auto (2nd gen), £19.99 (was £59.99)
For more savings on other smart gadgets, head to our Amazon device deals round-up.
IT’S been hailed a ‘game-changer’ when it comes to getting to sleep on hot nights.
But would you sleep on a gel pillow designed to keep your dog or cat cool in a heatwave?
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Lynsey Hope tested sleeping on a cooling mat during hot weatherCredit: Gary Stone
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Can the gadget guarantee a good night’s sleepCredit: Gary Stone
Pet cooling mats can be found at many high street stores in the UK, and whilst they are designed for animals, some people have been buying the gadgets for themselves – or nicking them from their four-legged friends.
Commenting on a TikTok video calling for people to share their ‘unhinged tips on how to stay cool’ during hot spells, one social media user wrote: “Borrowed by cat’s gel cooling mat as she’s uninterested in it and it’s a lifesaver.”
With temperatures set to hit the mid-30s in parts of the UK this week, I’m happy to give anything a go in a bid to stave off the extreme heat and get some kip.
There are lots available to buy including a Sunny Daze Cooling Dog Mat for just £5 at petsathome.com, or a slightly larger and more plush Weashume Dog Cool Gel Pad for £10.99 on amazon.
I opt for one from Chillmax costing just under £6 on Amazon, which has dozens of five-star reviews online.
When it arrives it doesn’t look much. It’s a simple blue mat filled with cooling gel.
But manufacturers claim it absorbs excess heat and dissipates it away for up to three hours, giving your skin a lovely cool feeling.
There’s no water so no refilling is necessary.
You simply pop it in the fridge and get it out when your pet needs a rest so they can lay on it and cool down.
I popped it in the fridge during the day, then laid it over my sheet when it was time for bed.
It was pretty hard to lay my entire body weight down on it as it felt icy cold. I really had to grit my teeth.
I laid on it feeling pretty uncomfortable, but after around five minutes, the initial discomfort eased, my body adjusted to the cold and I drifted off to sleep pretty quickly.
This was quite an achievement as I’ve been really tossing and turning of late due to the frequent spells of hot weather.
In fact, I think I fell asleep at least 45 minutes faster than I had on previous hot nights. It was actually quite calming too and refreshing.
The coolness wears off after a few hours and though it was soft enough to lay on, I woke up feeling a little uncomfortable.
But I just pulled it out from under me and tossed it on the floor.
The next night I tried putting it on top of my pillow case but I found the cold felt too extreme against my face.
It was a little better inside the pillow case, but still I preferred it near my body.
This funny little pet pillow has become a must-have in my bedroom now for hot nights.
Even better as it’s so small, you can easily take it away with you if you need to. No need to lug a big fan around instead.
You can also wipe it clean, making it a good gel option as most are built into the pillow and can’t be washed.
You can sit on it whilst working if you want to, though I did not find this comfortable.
But I didn’t mind using it as a foot rest on hot working days and it can also be used as a laptop cooling pad.
My kids kept stealing it saying it kept them cool so I guess I might be buying more to keep us all as cool as cucumbers.
Others have said similar pet mats are not only helpful in the heatwave but hot flushes, too.
One Amazon reviewer said it was brilliant for menopausal women, especially for the price.
You can spend £20 to £30 on a pet cooling pillow, but most of us won’t want to pay that much when the heatwave doesn’t last long in the UK.
Similar products designed for humans also tend to be more pricey.
This is wallet-friendly and effective. For less than £6 this is a real bargain. If it’s good enough for Fido, it’s good enough me.
No more sweaty nights here.
Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat
IT can be really difficult – and costly – to keep kids cool when it’s hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won’t break the budget either.
Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
ALDI is selling a must-have garden gadget that’s just under £70 cheaper than a similar one from top brand Karcher – and it’s ideal for sprucing up your patio ahead of summer.
It comes with a 1400W motor and pumps out up to 110 bar of pressure – more than enough to tackle stubborn stains outdoors.
It comes with a three meter high-pressure hose, spray gun, cleaning lance with extension and a quick-connect system for easily switching attachments.
Weighing in at just 5kg, it’s light enough for moving around the garden and easy to stash away thanks to its integrated cable and hose holder.
The gadget goes on sale from Thursday, June 5 – online and in stores – but like all Aldi Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone.
And it’s a proper steal compared to pricier rivals.
For example, the Kärcher K2 Power Control Home Pressure Washer – with similar specs – will set you back £119 at B&Q, saving you just under £70 if you opt for the Aldi version.
The Karcher washer has similar specs, including a 110 bar pressure and patio cleaning capability, but comes with a much heftier price tag.
Aldi’s Specialbuys have built a cult following for delivering top value across garden gear, kitchen gadgets and more – and this latest deal is no exception.
Remember to compare prices
Websites like Trolley and Price Spy let you compare thousands of products across different retailers to find the best price.
Unveiling Aldi Specialbuys: Deals You Don’t Want to Miss!
Price Spy even lets you see how much an item has cost over time.
A quick scan on the Google Shopping/Product tab will also bring up how much retailers are selling a certain item for too.
WHEN it comes to shopping at Aldi, the best time to do so depends on what you want to buy.
For reduced items – when shops open
Red sticker items are rare at Aldi’s 830 UK stores, but the supermarket says that none of its food goes to waste so there are some to be found – if you’re quick.
A spokesman for the supermarket said: “All items are reduced to 50 per cent of the recommend sales price before stores open on their best before or use by dates.”
That means you have the best chance of finding reduced food items if you go into stores as soon as it opens.
Opening times vary by shop but a majority open from 7am or 8am. You can find your nearest store’s times by using the supermarket’s online shop finder tool.
For Specialbuys – Thursdays and Sundays
Specialbuys are Aldi’s weekly collection of items that it doesn’t normally sell, which can range from pizza ovens to power tools.
New stock comes into stores every Thursday and Sunday, so naturally, these are the best days to visit for the best one-off special deals.
For an even better chance of bagging the best items, head there for your local store’s opening time.
Remember: once they’re gone, they’re gone, so if there’s something you really want, visit as early as possible
Amazon often slashes prices on household appliances, making it a great place to shop for labour-saving gadgets like electric spin scrubbers and fence paint sprayers.
This clever little window vacuum is designed to make cleaning windows, mirrors, tiles and shower screens an absolute breeze.
It’s lightweight, quiet, and easy to handle, so you can get the job done without breaking a sweat.
Karcher says its leave surfaces streak- and drip-free, giving you sparkling results every time (though some Amazon shoppers say a lint-free rag might be needed to finish the job).
The VW 2 Plus comes with two suction nozzles, one wide and one narrow, so you can clean big areas and smaller, hard-to-reach places.
The vacuum also sucks up dirty water without leaving any residue behind and lets you empty it hygienically without touching the mess.
The set includes everything you need to get started: a spray bottle, a microfibre cloth, two nozzles, and 20 ml of Kärcher window cleaner concentrate.
This sprayer is made for small to medium jobs like fences, sheds, decking, and garden furniture.
You don’t need any fancy sprayable paint either – it works with normal fence paint, oil, varnish, stains, and wood treatments.
It’s got some cracking features to make the job easier.
You can adjust the paint flow for precise painting and switch the paint jet to suit what you’re working on.
The gun’s detachable, so it’s dead easy to clean, refill, or swap attachments, and has a decent 1.4-litre capacity.
It can reportedly spray a whole fence panel in under two minutes.
We’ve not tried it ourselves, but over 4,300 people on Amazon have, and they’ve left it with an average 4.5 out of 5-star rating.
“Wish I’d purchased this sooner!” one happy shopper writes. “If you’re looking for a fence/decking sprayer to do the job – this thing is more than adequate!
“Best £50 I’ve spent in a LONG time!! Fantastic product, easy to use and most importantly – a major time saver!!!”
Another said: “Excellent coverage. Powerful and lightweight. Totally impressed with this machine.
“I still can’t believe how good it paints and how fast. In no time we have garden benches and fence panels that look as good as new.”
One more added, “Works like a dream… Brilliant!
“I was dubious about getting this as I had tried pump-type sprayers before, but they were useless. The results were brilliant, quick and easy.”
If your shed, fences, or garden furniture need sprucing up, now’s the time to sort it out – ahead of the summer months.
A POPULAR Amazon gadget has been urgently recalled over fears it could give users a deadly electric shock.
A universal power supply, sold under the Wefomey brand, has been banned from entering the UK.
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A power supply sold on Amazon under the Wefomey brand has urgently been recalledCredit: Getty
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The Wefomey Universal Power Supply fails to meet UK legal safety standardsCredit: Amazon
The dodgy device, model LGY-363000, was flagged by border officials and stopped from reaching British customers.
The plug-in gadget is advertised on Amazon as a “universal power adapter” that “fits almost all DC input sockets”.
The product is made in China and was being shipped to UK buyers.
However, it was found to be “inadequately earthed”, according to an advisory issued by the UK government.
The advisory reads: “The product presents a serious risk of electric shock due to a lack of protection from access to its live parts.”
It adds: “The insulation may break down during normal use, meaning the metal parts accessible to the consumer may be live.
“If a consumer were to touch the product during use, they may receive an electric shock.”
Officials confirmed that the product breaches the UK’s Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
As a corrective measure, the import was rejected at the border to prevent it from entering the UK.
Owners have been urged to stop using the product immediately.
Supermarkets urgently recall iconic Scottish snack over health risk
It comes as Amazon has issued an urgent product recall over fears an item of clothing could catch fire.
Customers have been urged to return the iHEAT Heated Jacket for Women.
According to an advisory issued by the UK government, the product presents a serious risk of fire as the lithium-ion battery pack is poorly constructed and does not provide sufficient protection to prevent thermal runaway.
The advisory reads: “Additionally, the power supply is fitted with a non-compliant plug, with the plug pins too close to the edge of the plug face, exposing the user to live parts.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.”
Owners have been urged to stop using the product immediately and contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
Meanwhile, a bedroom lamp sold on Amazon has been urgently recalled over fears it could spark a house fire.
The Murcher Bedside Table Lamp, sold under models WDF-YW-02 and WDF-FX01, poses a high fire risk due to a critical design fault, according to a new safety alert.
The issue lies in the lack of proper cord anchorage inside the lamp.
Over time, the power cord can shift and place dangerous strain on the lamp’s internal connections.
This can cause wires to detach, short-circuit and overheat – which could trigger a fire.
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
