Gree Electric Appliances, Inc., a company headquartered in Zhuhai, China, has initiated a recall of approximately 1.56 million dehumidifiers that were sold under various brand names including Kenmore and GE from 2011 to 2014. The recall is prompted by concerns over potential fire and burn hazards, as reported by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC has shared that Gree has been notified of 23 reported fire incidents, along with 688 cases of overheating and property damage totaling $168,000 associated with the recalled dehumidifiers.
The affected recall encompasses 42 different models of dehumidifiers, all of which were manufactured in China between January 2011 and February 2014. These products were marketed under well-known brand names such as Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole, and Seabreeze.
Sold at various retail outlets nationwide, including Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Sam’s Club, Sears, and Walmart, the dehumidifiers were available for purchase within the years 2011 to 2014. The price range for these products was between $110 and $400.
To identify whether a dehumidifier is subject to recall, consumers can locate the model number and date code on a sticker affixed to the unit. Individuals owning any of the affected units are advised to cease using them immediately and reach out to Gree for a refund.
Gree USA, Inc., the U.S. branch of the Chinese appliance manufacturer, recently faced legal consequences. In April, the company was sentenced to a $500,000 criminal fine following a guilty plea to failing in notifying the CPSC about millions of defective dehumidifiers that posed a fire risk.
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This fine was part of a broader $91 million resolution involving three interconnected Gree entities based in California, Hong Kong, and Zhuhai, China. The companies were found to be aware of the defects and potential fire hazards posed by their dehumidifiers, yet they neglected to report this information to the CPSC for a significant period of time, according to details cited in court filings by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
