Greater than 1.5 million dehumidifiers are under recall following experiences of practically two dozen fires, in response to the U.S. Client Product Security Fee.
The recall impacts 42 fashions of dehumidifiers bought underneath 5 model names: Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze. These merchandise, all manufactured by the Zhuhai, China-based Gree Electrical Home equipment, have been bought from January 2011 to February 2014 at main retailers nationwide — together with Walmart, Residence Depot and Sam’s Membership, amongst others.
Based on the CPSC, the now-recalled dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke and catch fireplace. Gree has obtained experiences of a minimum of 23 fires, 688 overheating incidents and $168,000 in property injury from the recalled merchandise.
Customers are instructed to unplug and instantly cease utilizing the dehumidifiers — and speak to Gree for a refund.
The recalled dehumidifiers might be recognized by their model, mannequin quantity and capability, which is all listed on the CPSC’s notice. The merchandise are white, beige, grey or black plastic — bought in varied sizes for between $110 and $400.
The Related Press reached out to Gree for touch upon Thursday.
This isn’t the primary time that Gree-manufactured dehumidifiers have been recalled for fireplace and burn dangers. On Wednesday, the CPSC additionally warned shoppers of a earlier and separate recall impacting Gree dehumidifiers bought from January 2005 by way of January 2014 underneath a handful of manufacturers: Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima.
That recall was first introduced in 2013, expanded in 2014 and most just lately reannounced in 2016. To this point, greater than 2,000 overheating incidents and 450 fires have been reported — leading to $19 million in property injury and 4 deaths “doubtlessly related to Gree dehumidifiers,” the CPSC mentioned Wednesday, pointing to 2016 and 2022 deadly home fires in Ohio, Iowa and Missouri.
In 2021, Gree and its Hong Kong subsidiary agreed to pay $91 million for failing to inform U.S. regulators that the gadgets might overheat and will catch fireplace. The corporations entered into an settlement to keep away from legal prosecution, the U.S. legal professional’s workplace mentioned on the time — noting they’d additionally present restitution to victims for fireplace injury brought on by the dehumidifiers.
In April of this 12 months, Gree’s U.S. subsidiary, Gree USA, was additionally sentenced to pay a $500,000 legal tremendous and restitution funds as a part of this decision.