Over 2 Million Dehumidifiers Recalled After Causing $17 Million in Fire Property Damage
Dehumidifier Fire Lawsuits
According to CBSNews.com, 20 different brands of dehumidifiers sold across the nation are being recalled due to a defect that causes the dehumidifiers to spontaneously catch on fire. There have been over 100 reports of house fires caused by the recalled dehumidifiers. The total amount of property damage caused by the affected dehumidifiers is estimated to be about $17 million.
According to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recalled dehumidifiers may overheat and then catch on fire leading to fire and burn hazards. New Widetech, a manufacturer of certainly recalled dehumidifiers, stated that their company was aware of approximately 107 dehumidifier overheating and/or fire incidents. The company reported that there had been no injuries reported at this time.
The two million recalled dehumidifiers were sold nationwide at retailers such as Menards, Costco, Lowe’s, and Walmart. The affected units were sold from February 2009 until August 2017 at a price between $120 and $430 per unit. According to the news report, 380,000 of the recalled dehumidifiers were sold in Canada, and 25,000 were sold in Mexico.
The recalled 25-to-74-pint dehumidifiers were marketed and retailed under brand names such as AeonAir, Whirlpool, Danby, and Friedrich. A table of the dehumidifiers may be reviewed here.
The CPSC is urging those who have purchased a recalled dehumidifier to immediately stop using the machine and to contact New Widetech for a refund. The refund will be pro-rated depending on the age of the affected product.
According to the news report, this is the second dehumidifier recall to be initiated due to overheating, fires, property damage, and injuries. One family living in Commack, New York, has been living in a trailer in their yard for over a year because their house burned down due to a different recalled dehumidifier manufactured by China’s Gree Electric Appliances.
According to the victims, the defective Gree dehumidifier created a massive electrical fire that burned down their home quickly and also filled their home with black smoke. It was a very dangerous and life-threatening event for the family. Their home was totaled by the Gree product. The news report states that this incident is just one of over 2,000 reported occurrences of dehumidifiers overheating, causing around 450 fires and over $19 million in property damage.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that 2 million dehumidifiers manufactured by New Widetech were recalled in the United States, and the recall involves 25-, 30-, 35-, 45-, 50-, 60-, 65-, 70-, and 74-pint brand name dehumidifiers:
- AeonAir,
- Amana,
- ArcticAire (Danby),
- Classic (Danby / Home Hardware Stores),
- Commercial Cool,
- Danby,
- Danby Designer,
- Danby Premiere,
- De’Longhi,
- Edgestar,
- Friedrich,
- Generations (Danby),
- Haier,
- Honeywell (JMATEK / AirTek),
- Idylis, Ivation,
- Perfect Aire,
- SuperClima,
- Whirlpool, and
- Whynter.
The brand name, pint capacity, and model number are printed on the nameplate sticker on the back of the dehumidifier for identification. This recall also affects approximate 380,000 dehumidifiers in Canada and another 25,000 sold in Mexico.
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