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Dehumidifiers can overheat and catch fire. Do you have one?

Posted by Scott Stueber, CPCU, CISR, AAI on Mar 21, 2017 8:34:06 AM

house-on-fire-1.jpgThere are millions of dehumidifiers in homes across the country. A dehumidifier removes the air's moisture and keeps our homes dry. They work extremely hard in spring and summer.

While your dehumidifier is undoubtedly beneficial, it may be a fire danger! Have you heard of the massive recall of many brand-name dehumidifiers? If not, keep reading. This article could prevent a dangerous fire in your home.

Dehumidifier Recall Information

In 2013, Gree Corporation and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a massive dehumidifier recall.  Some of the brand names included in that recall are:

  • Frigidaire
  • Kenmore
  • Danby or Premier
  • De'Longhi or SuperClima
  • Gree
  • Fedders
  • Fellini
  • Norpole
  • Seabreeze
  • Soleus Air

At that time, Gree acknowledged a few dozen fires with an estimated $2.7 million in damage.

On January 30, 2014, Gree expanded the recall to include General Electric (GE).

The recall issued on November 29, 2016, added even more popular brand names to the list.

All of the recalled dehumidifiers were manufactured in China. 

West Bend has had several fire claims caused by defective dehumidifiers. Damages totaled more than $1 million. Overall, numbers throughout the country are on the rise and are staggering.

Dehumidifier recall statistics

  • The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 5.6 million dehumidifiers in two separate recalls.

  • The dehumidifiers recalled have caused hundreds of fires, resulting in $19 million in reported damage.

  • The recall affects 60 different brands of dehumidifiers that were built between 2003 and 2013.

  • The recalled dehumidifiers were sold at big box retailers such as Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Sears, K-Mart, Lowes, HH Gregg, and even Amazon.

Is your dehumidifier on the recall list?

To see if your dehumidifier is recalled, click here. The information provided will show you where to find the model number on your dehumidifier. Once you have the brand and model number, you can enter the information and do an online search.

If your dehumidifier is on the list, stop using it and unplug it immediately. The recalled dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, and catch fire.

Please share this information with your family and friends. It could save their lives!

Do you have any suggestions or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Please share them in the box below.

Sources:
http://www.wthr.com/article/millions-of-dehumidifiers-pose-serious-fire-risk

https://www.cpsc.gov/

 

Topics: Fire Safety

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