Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Kenmore Dehumidifiers recalled by Sears because they can overheat posing a fire and burn hazard.
It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Product Information
Name of Product: Kenmore Dehumidifiers
Units: About 795,000
Retailer: Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, of Hoffman Estates, IL.
Manufacturer: LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China
Hazard: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 107 reports of incidents, with more than $7 million in property damage and three reports of smoke inhalation injuries.
Description: This recall involves 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit, manufactured between 2003 and 2005. The dehumidifiers are made of white plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide and about 13.5 inches in depth. They have fan and humidity controls on their top front panels and some models include remote controls. They come with front-loading water buckets. The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed. Recalled units have the following model numbers:
| 35-pint (2004) – 580.54351400 |
| 50-pint (2003) – 580.53509300 |
| 70-pint (2003) – 580.53701300 |
| 70-pint (2004) – 580.54701400 |
| 70-pint (2005) – 580.54701500 |
Sold Exclusively at: Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for between $140.00 and $220.00.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75.00, $80.00, $90.00 or $100.00, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may request a check for the refund amount. All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25.00 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Recall Fulfillment Center toll-free at 855.400.4641 between 8:00am and 7:00pm CT Monday through Friday and between 8:00am and 2:00pm CT Saturday, or visit www.Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov
About the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products – such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at 800.638.2772 or teletypewriter at 301.595.7054 for the hearing and speech impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx .
