Over 1.5m dehumidifiers recalled for starting fires - causing $168K of damage

18 August 2023 , 00:23

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At the time of the recall, Gree has received reports of at least 23 fires, 688 overheating incidents and $168,000 in property damage stemming from the recalled dehumidifiers (Image: CPSC)

More than 1.5 million dehumidifiers sold in a three year period are under recall after reports of nearly two dozen fires, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

These dehumidifiers - manufactured by China-based Gree Electric Appliances - are separate from the ones previously recalled by CPSC sold over a nine year period that may have been responsible for the death of four people.

In total 42 models are being recalled, with the brand names Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze. These products were sold from January 2011 to February 2014 at major retailers nationwide, including but not limited to Walmart, Home Depot and Sam’s Club.

Impacted in the recall are 42 models sold under five brand names: Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze (AP)

These dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke and catch fire. At the time of the recall, Gree has received reports of at least 23 fires, 688 overheating incidents and $168,000 in property damage stemming from the recalled dehumidifiers, the CPSC shared in a notice released on Wednesday.

The dehumidifiers are made of plastic and come in four colors: white, beige, gray or black. They range in sizes and prices between $110 and $400. The Associated Press reached out to Gree for comment on Thursday.

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Gree dehumidifiers have faced plenty of scrutiny and have had to be recalled in the past, with the CPSC previously sending out another recall notice about ones sold from January 2005 to January 2014.

These were sold under the brands: Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, GE, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole, Premiere, Seabreeze, SoleusAir and SuperClima.

First announced in 2013, this recall was further expanded a year later and then reshared in 2016. More than 450 fires and 2,000 overheating incidents have been attributed to these dehumidifiers.

"There have been reports of four deaths potentially associated with Gree dehumidifiers, all involving adults who died from house fires that may have been caused by recalled dehumidifiers," the CPSC said in the release. "One death occurred in 2016 in Ohio. Another death occurred in 2022 in Iowa. Two more deaths occurred in 2022 in Missouri."

In 2021, Gree and its Hong Kong subsidiary agreed to pay $91 million for failing to tell US regulators that their devices could overheat and could catch fire. An agreement was made so that the firms could avoid criminal prosecution, it was said at the time by the US attorney's office. Restitution was to be provided to victims for the fire damage that was caused by the dehumidifiers.

Gree USA, the US subsidiary for Gree, was sentenced in April to pay $500,000 for a criminal fine and restitution payments as part of that same resolution.

Matthew Wright