Nine more house fires have prompted the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to reissue a recall for Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers. The recall involves 98,000 Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers with a power connector that can short circuit, posing a fire and bone hazard to consumers and their property.
Because of the severity of the risks, the CPSC and LG Electronics are concerned with the lack of consumer response to the original December 2009 recall. Only two percent of the 98,000 consumers who purchased the recalled Goldstar or Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers have received a free repair, which means that consumers and their property remain at serious risk, the CPSC said.
At the time of the original Goldstar and Comfort-Aire dehumidifier recall, there had been 11 incidents, including four serious fires. Since then, the CPSC says it has received 16 additional incident reports of arcing, smoke and fire associated with the dehumidifiers. The 16 reports included nine significant house fires reported to have caused more than $1 million in damages:
• $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.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
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 here. 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.
The CPSC is strongly urging anyone who has the recalled to immediately stop using them, unplug them, and contact LG Electronics for the free repair.
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
