The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered Gree Electric Appliances to initiate a recall of 2.5 million dehumidifiers following a reported 450 fires related to the products overheating, smoking and catching fire.
Specific Models Being Recalled
The recall consists of units manufactured by the following companies: SuperClima, De’Longhi, SoleusAir, Fedders, Seabreeze, Fellini, Premiere, Danby, Frigidaire, Norpole, GE, Gree and Kenmore. The size of the manufacturer models includes: 70, 65, 50, 45, 40, 30, 25, and 20-pint dehumidifiers.
To find out if your unit is included in the recall, check the model numbers and date codes found on stickers on the front, back, or side of the unit. They come in gray, white, beige and black plastic housings. The units can measure from 19 to 24 inches in height, 13 to 15 inches in width with a 9 to 11 inch in depth. To determine if your unit is among those affected by the recall contact the manufacturer or the CPSC for details.
Dangers of Fire and Smoke
Many dehumidifiers are used in in workshops, garages, cellars and damp basements or other less inhabited areas of the home that are susceptible to moisture. The dehumidifier aids as a means of reducing the humidity in an affected area which in turn reduces the risk of mildew and mold formation that can trigger allergic reactions to those exposed. For this reason, if a unit overheats and catches fire it may not be immediately noticed which can lead to destructive fires. Additionally, the defect can be responsible for producing smoke in a fire which raises the risk for smoke inhalation related health problems and potentially death from oxygen deprivation. This situation becomes even worse if it happens at night when people are asleep and may take longer to react and get to safety.
Smoke inhalation can be a health danger as it causes irritation to nasal membranes, eyes, alveoli and brachii and other lung tissue. Smoke inhalation causes upper and lower respiratory irritation and infection and may exacerbate existing pulmonary conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and bronchitis. In people with seasonal allergies, this can adversely affect the natural recovery from infections brought on by pollen and other allergens that lead to colds, sinusitis or other respiratory conditions.
Damages Due to Defective Dehumidifiers
Over 2000 incidents have been reported on these products leading to over 400 injuries and more than $19 million in damages. The manufacture is offering refunds. If your unit is among those affected, you should initiate contact with them for a refund. This product is in its fourth recall since September of 2013. To eliminate your concerns of a fire, immediately unplug your dehumidifier and search for the manufacturer and the model of the unit.
These units were sold at several department stores, including Walmart, Sears, Sam’s Club, Mills Fleet Farm, Menard’s, Lowe’s, Kmart, Home Depot, HH Gregg and Aafes. Online these units were sold at Amazon and Ebay. All of these units were manufactured in China by Gree Appliances.
If you are concerned that your unit may be on the list of the makes and models being recalled, you can contact your manufacturer or the CPSC to verify if your unit is included. For additional information, you may contact Gree, Toll Free at 866-853-2808.