Dehumidifier Recall

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New fires spark dehumidifier recall
September 16, 2011
Terri's Smart Money Blog

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The Consumer Product Safety Commission is re-announcing a recall of 98,000 Goldstar and Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers. LG Electronics says the dehumidifiers were sold between January 2007 through June 2008 at Walmart, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and other retailers have caused more than a million dollars in property damage.

The power connector for the dehumidifier's compressor can short circuit and start a fire.
he dehumidifiers were first recalled in December 2009 following eleven incidents, including four significant fires. Since that time, the company has received sixteen additional incident reports of arcing, smoke and fire associated with the dehumidifiers, including nine significant fires. No injuries have been reported.

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.

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 the 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 numbers 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. Below are the affected brands with their model and serial numbers and the stores which sold them:
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