The Consumer Product Safety Commission is urgently warning owners of home dehumidifiers to check their units. Certain 30-pint dehumidifiers made by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co. have a dangerous electrical flaw that pose fire and burn hazards. The faulty dehumidifiers have already caused nine significant home fires and more than one million dollars in property damage.
Today's warning stems from a December 2009 recall of the LG-made dehumidifiers sold under the Goldstar and Comfort-Aire brand names. The CPSC had determined back then that the power connectors to the dehumidifiers' compressors could short out and cause a fire. At the time 11 incidents were reported, including four fires.
However, since that initial recall, the CPSC reports it has received 16 additional reports of electrical arcing, smoke or fire from owners with the faulty dehumidifiers. What's more, only two percent of the 98,000 units owned by consumers have been returned for the free repair offered by LG under the original recall notice, prompting the CPSC to issue today's alert.
The recalled dehumidifiers were sold at various retailers nationwide (see table) for about $140 to $150 from January 2007 to June 2008. The models are white with a red shut-off button, controls for fan speed and humidity control, and feature a front-loading water-catching bucket. Removing the water bucket, consumers can view the manufacturer's label for the following information:
| Brand | Model No | Serial Number Range | Sold at |
|---|---|---|---|
Goldstar | GHD30Y7 | 611TAxx00001 through 08400 611TAxx08401 through 40600 612TAxx00001 through 20400 612TAxx21001 through 30600 | Home Depot |
Goldstar | DH305Y7 | 612TAxx00001 through 00600 701TAxx00001 through 16800 702TAxx00001 through 03000 | Walmart |
Comfort-Aire | BHD-301-C | 611TA000001 through 001697 612TA000001 through 004200 701TA000001 through 000578 710TA000001 through 000599 | Various retailers, including: Ace Hardware Do It Best Orgill Inc. |
The CPSC strongly recommends owners of dehumidifiers affected by this recall to immediately stop using the unit and unplug the appliance from electrical sockets. Consumers should also contact LG (toll-free: 877-220-0479, Web: www.30PintDehumidifierRecall.com) for the free repair or further information.
The three recalled Goldstar and Comfort-Aire 30-pint dehumidifiers made by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co. (Models are not to scale.)
Photo: CPSC
—Paul Eng
98,000 home dehumidifiers recalled for fire hazard
