Over 1.5 million dehumidifiers, including models from well-known brands like GE and Kenmore, have been recalled due to fire and burn hazards.
These dehumidifiers, manufactured by Gree USA, the American branch of a Chinese appliance company, have been associated with 23 fires and 688 incidents of overheating.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall on Wednesday, stating that the devices can “overheat, smoke, and catch fire.”
The recall affects 1.56 million units sold under various top brands at major retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Sam’s Club, Sears, and Walmart, between 2011 and 2014.
The dehumidifiers, responsible for $168,000 in property damage, should be unplugged immediately, according to the agency.
“Consumers should immediately stop use, unplug the dehumidifiers, and contact Gree to receive a refund,” the CPSC advised in a notice to consumers.
The recall covers 42 models sold under brands such as Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole, and Seabreeze.
This is the latest in a series of recalls for Gree dehumidifiers, with previous recalls issued in 2013, 2014, and 2016. The CPSC noted that four deaths have potentially been linked to house fires caused by these appliances.
Earlier this year, a California court ordered Gree USA to pay a $500,000 criminal fine for failing to inform the CPSC that millions of dehumidifiers it sold in the U.S. were defective and posed a fire risk.
Owners of the recalled dehumidifiers should visit Gree’s website and click on the “US Consumer Information Collection” link located below the model numbers to obtain a refund.
You’ll need to enter your email address to be placed on a 6-8 week waiting list to receive further instructions on how to register for the recall and obtain a refund, according to Gree.
If consumers believe the company is not responding to their refund requests, they can notify the CPSC using the Recall Complaint Form available on the CPSC website.
The recalled dehumidifiers were sold for prices ranging from $110 to $400.
