Recalled dehumidifiers pose fire risk

The United States government and media outlets are reporting that a Chinese manufacturer  has recalled dehumidifiers it makes because of serious risk of fire and burn hazards.  Gree Electric Appliances has announced the recall. There has been approximately $4 million worth or property damage reported because of fires from the dehumidifiers.

The dehumidifiers at issue are being sold under the brand names of Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima. About 2.2 million dehumidifiers have been sold in the United States. These dehumidifiers can

According to media reports, the dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke and catch fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. Manufacturers have received reports of 165 incidents, including 46 fires.  No personal injuries have been reported.  However, if a dehumidifier catches fire, the fire could spread into a house and cause a very serious house fire and put the health and lives of its occupants at risk.

Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and discontinue use of the dehumidifiers. The products were removed from all retail stores in 2013. They were sold at: AAFES, HH Gregg, Home Depot, Kmart, Lowe’s, Menards, Mills Fleet Farm, Sam’s Club, Sears and Walmart, and online at Amazon.com and eBay.com.

As a Greenville South Carolina personal injury attorney who handles defective products liability cases,  I sometimes see that injured people and their families are not completely understanding of how a manufacturer can be held liable for personal injury or property damage.  Under the law, a company that defectively designs or manufactures a product that causes injury or death can be held responsible for those harms and losses they cause.  An investigation into exactly what caused the defective product to be harmful or dangerous must be undertaken.

Call the Thomas Creech Law Offices at 864-235-4999 if you have been informed or have reason to believe that a dehumidifier caused a fire to occur in your home and further caused you a family member or friend personal injury. An investigation must be undertaken immediately to protect your rights under the law.