Current:Home > InvestOver 1.5 million dehumidifiers are under recall after fire reports. Here’s what you need to know-LoTradeCoin
Over 1.5 million dehumidifiers are under recall after fire reports. Here’s what you need to know
View Date:2024-12-24 07:48:48
NEW YORK (AP) — More than 1.5 million dehumidifiers are under recall following reports of nearly two dozen fires, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The recall impacts 42 models of dehumidifiers sold under five brand names: Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze. These products, all manufactured by the Zhuhai, China-based Gree Electric Appliances, were sold from January 2011 to February 2014 at major retailers nationwide — including Walmart, Home Depot and Sam’s Club, among others.
According to the CPSC, the now-recalled dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke and catch fire. Gree has received reports of at least 23 fires, 688 overheating incidents and $168,000 in property damage from the recalled products.
Consumers are instructed to unplug and immediately stop using the dehumidifiers — and contact Gree for a refund.
The recalled dehumidifiers can be identified by their brand, model number and capacity, which is all listed on the CPSC’s notice. The products are white, beige, gray or black plastic — sold in various sizes for between $110 and $400.
The Associated Press reached out to Gree for comment on Thursday.
This isn’t the first time that Gree-manufactured dehumidifiers have been recalled for fire and burn risks. On Wednesday, the CPSC also warned consumers of a previous and separate recall impacting Gree dehumidifiers sold from January 2005 through January 2014 under a handful of brands: Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima.
That recall was first announced in 2013, expanded in 2014 and most recently reannounced in 2016. To date, more than 2,000 overheating incidents and 450 fires have been reported — resulting in $19 million in property damage and four deaths “potentially associated with Gree dehumidifiers,” the CPSC said Wednesday, pointing to 2016 and 2022 fatal house fires in Ohio, Iowa and Missouri.
In 2021, Gree and its Hong Kong subsidiary agreed to pay $91 million for failing to tell U.S. regulators that the devices could overheat and could catch fire. The firms entered into an agreement to avoid criminal prosecution, the U.S. attorney’s office said at the time — noting they would also provide restitution to victims for fire damage caused by the dehumidifiers.
In April of this year, Gree’s U.S. subsidiary, Gree USA, was also sentenced to pay a $500,000 criminal fine and restitution payments as part of this resolution.
veryGood! (377)
Related
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- Why Ian Somerhalder Doesn't Miss Hollywood After Saying Goodbye to Acting
- Former LA County sheriff’s deputy pleads no contest to lesser charges in fatal on-duty shooting
- Tragedy unravels idyllic suburban life in 'Mothers' Instinct' trailer with Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain
- What Just Happened to the Idea of Progress?
- A British D-Day veteran celebrates turning 100, but the big event is yet to come
- Emma Stone applies to be on regular 'Jeopardy!' every year: 'I want to earn my stripes'
- Patriots hire Jerod Mayo as coach one day after split with Bill Belichick
- Chrysler recalls over 200k Jeep, Dodge vehicles over antilock-brake system: See affected models
- Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore announces he is retiring at the end of February
Ranking
- Man is 'not dead anymore' after long battle with IRS, which mistakenly labeled him deceased
- Rescue kitten purrs as orphaned baby monkey snuggles up with her at animal sanctuary
- Alabama is close to hiring Kalen DeBoer from Washington to replace Nick Saban, AP source says
- Would David Wright be a Baseball Hall of Famer if injuries hadn't wrecked his career?
- Maine elections chief who drew Trump’s ire narrates House tabulations in livestream
- Blinken meets Chinese and Japanese diplomats, seeks stability as Taiwan voters head to the polls
- 'Ran into my house screaming': Woman wins $1 million lottery prize from $10 scratch-off
- Lawmakers may look at ditching Louisiana’s unusual ‘jungle primary’ system for a partisan one
Recommendation
-
Over 1.4 million Honda, Acura vehicles subject of US probe over potential engine failure
-
Are We Having Fun Yet? The Serious Business Of Having Fun
-
Lawmakers may look at ditching Louisiana’s unusual ‘jungle primary’ system for a partisan one
-
Rapper G Herbo sentenced to 3 years probation in credit card fraud scheme
-
Harriet Tubman posthumously named a general in Veterans Day ceremony
-
Sam's Club announces it will stop checking receipts and start using AI at exits
-
After years of delays, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ties the knot
-
Lights, cameras, Clark: Iowa’s superstar guard gets prime-time spotlight Saturday on Fox