Home Fires Prompt Dehumidifier Recall Reannouncement from LG Electronics

More Than One Million Dollars in Property Damage Linked to Goldstar and Comfort-Aire Dehumidifiers 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AUGUST 2011)-- LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is urging consumers to check if they have recalled Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers. The firm is reannouncing the recall of about 98,000 of the dangerous dehumidifiers that pose a serious fire and burn hazard and are believed to be responsible for more than one million dollars in property damage.

The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers and their property.

The dehumidifiers were first recalled in December 2009 following 11 incidents, including four significant fires.  [LINK TO 10-096] Since that time, the company has received 16 additional incident reports of arcing, smoke and fire associated with the dehumidifiers, including nine significant fires. No injuries have been reported. Fires are reported to have caused more than $1 million in property damage including: 

• $500,000 in damage to a home in Gibsonia, Pa.
• $200,000 in damage to a home in New Brighton, Minn.
• $183,000 in damage to a home in Hudson, Mass.
• $192,000 in damage to a home in Valparaiso, Ind.
• $139,000 in damage to a home in Salem, Ohio
• $129,000 in damage to a home in Brielle, N.J.
• $  95,000 in damage to a home in Philadelphia, Pa.

Because of the severity of the risks, CPSC and LG Electronics are concerned with the

lack of  consumer response to the recall. Only two percent of the 98,000 consumers who purchased these units have received a free repair, which means that consumers and their property remain at serious risk.

Anyone who has the recalled dehumidifiers is strongly encouraged to immediately stop using them, unplug them and contact LG Electronics for the free repair.

The recall involves 30 pint portable dehumidifiers sold under the Goldstar and Comfort-Aire brands. The dehumidifiers are white with a red shut-off button, controls for fan speed and humidity control and a front-loading water bucket. “Goldstar” or “Comfort-Aire” is printed on the front. Model and serial number ranges included in this recall are listed in the table below. The model and serial number are located on the interior of the dehumidifier and can be seen when the water bucket is removed.

The recalled dehumidifiers were sold at The Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware, Do It Best, Orgill Inc. and other retailers nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150.  They were manufactured in China.

For additional information about the recall and for the location of an authorized service center for the repair, contact LG toll-free at (877) 220-0479 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, or visit the firm’s website at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com.

This fire at a home in Valparaiso, Ind. involved a recalled Goldstar dehumidifier and resulted in $192,000 in damage.

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--

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 (800) 638-8270 for the hearing 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.