Model No. 580.54351400 – 35.jpgnt (2004)
By Rita R. Robison
Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corp. are recalling about 795,000 Kenmore dehumidifiers.
The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt, and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.
Model Nos. 580.53509300 – 50.jpgnt (2003) and 580.53701300 – 70.jpgnt
The firm has received 107 reports of incidents, with more than $7 million in property damage and three reports of smoke inhalation injuries.
The recall involves 35-, 50-, and 70.jpgnt dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit, manufactured between 2003 and 2005.
Model Nos. 580.54701400 – 70.jpgnt (2004) and 580.54701500 – 70.jpgnt (2005)
The dehumidifiers are made of white plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide, and about 13.5 inches in depth. They have fan and humidity controls on their top front panels and some models include remote controls. They come with front-loading water buckets. The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed.
Click here to see model numbers of the recalled units.
Manufactured in China by LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., the dehumidifiers were sold only at Sears and Kmart stores nationwide, Sears.com, and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009. The cost was $140 to $220.
Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the firm to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90, or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store, Sears.com, or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier.
Instead of a gift card, consumers can request a check for the refund amount.
All consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon that may be used at Sears Department Stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of a new Kenmore dehumidifier.
For additional information, contact the Recall Fulfillment Center at 855-400-4641 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT Saturday, or visit www.Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com.
For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.
