Sears is reannouncing a recall of about 795,000 Kenmore
dehumidifiers due to additional reports of fires and burns and a low consumer
response rate. The dehumidifiers were previously recalled
in August 2012.
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.
This recall involves Kenmore brand
35-, 50-, and 70.jpgnt dehumidifiers made by LG and manufactured between 2003
and 2005.
Sears has received seven additional incident reports of
shorting and fire associated with the dehumidifiers, including one incident
with a severe burn to a consumer’s foot and three fires resulting in more than
$300,000 of property damage.
The dehumidifiers are made of white
plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide, and about
13.5 inches deep. They have a fan, humidity controls, and a Kenmore logo on their
top front panels. Some models include remote controls.
With front-loading water buckets, the
model number of the dehumidifiers can be found on the right side of the
interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed.
Recalled units have the following
model numbers:
- 35.jpgnt (2004) – 580.54351400
- 50.jpgnt (2003) – 580.53509300
- 70.jpgnt (2003) – 580.53701300
- 70.jpgnt (2004) – 580.54701400
- 70.jpgnt (2005) – 580.54701500
Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the
dehumidifiers, the company and commission advise, and contact the Recall
Fulfillment Center to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90, or
$100, which can be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at 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.
Consumers with recalled units will also receive a $25 coupon
that can be used at Sears department stores or Sears.com toward the purchase of
a new Kenmore dehumidifier.
Manufactured in China, the dehumidifiers were sold at Sears
and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for
between $140 and $220.
For more information, call LG
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. Consumers
also can determine whether their product has been recalled and register for the
refund at www.Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com.
For details on other recalls, go to www.recalls.gov.
