The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·23231·Announced 2023-06-22

Research Products Steam Humidifiers Recalled for Fire Hazard

Research Products is recalling about 36,200 steam humidifiers with faulty electrode connector wires that can loosen, cause arcing, and overheat. The company has received 103 reports of overheating, including 10 residential fires causing over $10 million in damage.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves reported fire incidents (10 residential fires) with significant property damage ($10 million total), which meets the Severe criterion for products with significant property-damage reports. Although no deaths or injuries to persons are explicitly reported, the fire hazard with documented property loss demonstrates substantial risk of harm.

Plain-English summary

Research Products Corporation of Madison, Wisconsin is recalling approximately 36,200 steam humidifiers sold under the AprilAire, Coleman, Luxaire, Bryant, Carrier, and York brand names. The recalled humidifiers contain electrode connector wires with a "D" shaped connector that can loosen, causing arcing and/or overheating and creating a fire hazard.

The humidifiers were sold through HVAC contractors nationwide and online retailers including Amazon.com, Sylvane.com, Supplyhouse.com, Humidifiers.com and other websites from June 2010 through January 2015, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $3,500. The firm has received 103 reports of the recalled humidifiers overheating, including 10 incidents resulting in smoke or residential fires, totaling more than $10 million in damage.

Consumers should immediately stop using and shut off the recalled humidifiers. Consumers should contact Research Products toll-free at 888-742-2401 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.rpcrecall.com/steamhumidifier or www.researchproducts.com and click on "Recall Information" to receive a free electrode wire repair kit and assistance identifying a qualified contractor to schedule a free replacement of their electrode connector wires.

The recalled product

Product
Steam Humidifiers
Manufacturer
Research Products Corporation, of Madison, Wisconsin
Hazard
  • fire
  • arcing
  • overheating
Affected units
36,200

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.