Is YOUR dehumidifier a fire risk? 1.5MILLION China-made appliances are recalled
Is YOUR dehumidifier a fire hazard? 1.5 MILLION Chinese-made devices are being recalled
- The recall affects 42 models of dehumidifiers sold in 2011 and 2014 under five brand names: Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze
- They were stocked at Walmart, Home Depot, and Sam’s Club, among others
- The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said the devices were responsible for at least 688 overheating incidents and 23 fires
More than 1.5 million Chinese-made dehumidifiers have been recalled and customers have been warned to unplug the devices immediately after reports of 20 fires.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall was issued for 42 models of dehumidifiers sold under five brand names: Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze.
These products, all manufactured by 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.
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 the dehumidifiers and stop using the dehumidifiers immediately – and contact Gree for a refund.
Recalled: GE Dehumidifiers (left): all model numbers and the Soleusair dehumidifier model no. GL-DEH-70EIP-6L3 (right)
Recalled Soleusair dehumidifiers: model numbers SG-DEH-70E-2L3, GL-DEH-45F-2Q3, GL-DEH-70F-2L3 (left) and recalled Seabreeze dehumidifiers: model number DH470SB (right)
The recalled dehumidifiers can be identified by their make, model number and capacity, all of which are listed on the CPSC notice.
The products are white, beige, gray or black plastic and are sold in various sizes for between $110 and $400.
Gree has been contacted for comment.
This isn’t the first time Gree-manufactured dehumidifiers have been recalled due to fire and fire hazards.
On Wednesday, the CPSC also alerted consumers to a previous and separate recall affecting Gree dehumidifiers sold from January 2005 to 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 last announced again 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 “possibly associated with Gree dehumidifiers,” the CPSC said Wednesday, pointing to deadly residential fires in Ohio, Iowa in 2016 and 2022. and Missouri.
Recalled Soleusair Dehumidifier Model No. SG-DEH-25-4 (left) and Kenmore dehumidifiers: all model numbers (right)
Recalled Norpole Dehumidifier: Model No. NPDH30PG-1
In 2021, Gree and its Hong Kong subsidiary agreed to pay $91 million for failing to tell US regulators that the devices could overheat and catch fire.
The firms entered into an agreement to avoid criminal charges, the US law firm said at the time – noting that they would also reimburse victims for fire damage caused by the dehumidifiers.
In April of this year, Gree’s US subsidiary, Gree USA, was also ordered to pay a $500,000 criminal fine and restitution payments as part of this resolution.