Sears Recalls 795,000 Dehumidifiers for Fire Risk
Made by LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China, the units can overheat, smoke, melt, and catch on fire, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corp. have voluntarily recalled about 795,000 Kenmore dehumidifiers because they can overheat and possibly cause a fire, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Aug. 2.
The units were manufactured between 2003 and 2005 by LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China. They can overheat, smoke, melt, and catch fire, according to the commission's announcement, which said the company has received 107 reports of incidents with more than $7 million in property damage and three reports of smoke inhalation injuries.
This recall involves 35-, 50-, and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit. They are made of white plastic, are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide, and about 13.5 inches in depth. Fan and humidity controls are on the top front panels, and some models include remote controls. They have front-loading water buckets.
The affected model numbers (the number is located on the right side of the interior of the unit when the bucket is removed) are:
- 35-pint (2004), 580.54351400
- 50-pint (2003), 580.53509300
- 70-pint (2003), 580.53701300
- 70-pint (2004), 580.54701400
- 70-pint (2005), 580.54701500
The dehumidifiers were sold exclusively at Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for between $140 and $220. Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug them and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90, or $100 that can be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com or a check for the refund amount. (The amount of the card depends on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier.) Consumers with recalled units also will receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.
For more information, contact the Recall Fulfillment Center toll-free at 855-400-4641 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CDT weekdays or 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT Saturday, or visit www.Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com.