The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Kenmore Dehumidifiers
Units: About 795,000
Retailer: Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation, of Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Manufacturer: LG Electronics (Tianjin) Appliance Co., Ltd., of Tianjin, China
Hazard: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 107 reports of incidents, with more than $7 million in property damage and three reports of smoke inhalation injuries.
Description: This recall involves 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers with a Kenmore logo on the front top of the unit, manufactured between 2003 and 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. Recalled units have the following model numbers:
| 35-pint (2004) – 580.54351400 |
| 50-pint (2003) – 580.53509300 |
| 70-pint (2003) – 580.53701300 |
| 70-pint (2004) – 580.54701400 |
| 70-pint (2005) – 580.54701500 |
Sold Exclusively at: Sears and Kmart stores nationwide and Sears.com and Kmart.com from 2003 to 2009 for between $140 and $220.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: 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 or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. The gift card amount will depend on the capacity and year of the dehumidifier. In lieu of a gift card, consumers may 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.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Recall Fulfillment Center toll-free 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 http://Kenmoredehumidifierrecall.com
Consumers are advised to immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifier. Individuals can contact the recall fulfillment center at (855) 400-4641 orlog on to the Kenmore dehumidifier recall website. Consumers will receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100. The gift card amount will depend on the dehumidifier’s capacity and the year it was made. The gift cards can be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at the stores’ web sites.
Those consumers not wanting a gift card can request a refund in the form of a check. All consumers impacted by the recall will also receive a $25 coupon that can be used at Sears stores or on Sears’ web site to buy a new Kenmore dehumidifier.
Which dehumidifiers are being recalled?
Whirlpool is recalling approximately 1.4 million Whirlpool, Comfort-Aire and Sears Kenmore dehumidifiers. The dehumidifiers are white plastic, about 2-feet high and have a front-mounted water bucket. They have serial numbers that begin with QG, QH, QJ, QK or QL. The serial and model numbers can be found on a label located on the wall behind the water bucket.
Can I take the unit back to the store where I purchased it?
No, retailers are not prepared to take the units back. After you register your dehumidifier, Whirlpool will be mailing you a confirmation letter with instructions on how to schedule for free repair.
