Gree Recalls Dehumidifiers Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Plain-English summary

Gree Electric Appliances, of China, is recalling approximately 2.5 million dehumidifiers in the United States and 55,000 in Canada. The recall involves 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 65, and 70-pint dehumidifiers sold under the brand names Danby, De'Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir, and SuperClima. These units were sold at retailers including AAFES, HH Gregg, Home Depot, Kmart, Lowe's, Menards, Mills Fleet Farm, Sam's Club, Sears, and Walmart, as well as online at Amazon.com and Ebay.com, from January 2005 through August 2013 for between $110 and $400.

The recalled dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, and catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. The number of reported incidents of overheating dehumidifiers has increased nearly 400 percent from 119 in the original recall (September 2013) to 471 reported incidents. The number of reported fires has increased more than 200 percent from 46 to 121 reported fires. Property damage reports have more than doubled from $2.15 million in the original recall to nearly $4.5 million.

Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact Gree to receive a refund. The brand name and pint capacity are printed on the front of the dehumidifier, while the model number and date code are printed on a sticker on the back, front, or side of the unit.

The recalled product

Product

Dehumidifiers

Manufacturer

Gree Electric Appliances, of China

Category

Consumer Product — Home Appliances

Hazard

• fire
• burn-injury

Affected units

55,000

Distribution

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