About 98,000 Portable Dehumidifiers, which were manufactured by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., of China, have been recalled due to fire and burn hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada just announced.

The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. To date, LG has received 11 reports of property damage incidents involving arcing, heat, and smoke, including four fires that spread to the building structure and involved significant smoke/water damage. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves 30 pint portable dehumidifiers sold under the brand names, model numbers, and serial number ranges listed below. The dehumidifiers are white with a red shut-off button, controls for fan speed and humidity control, and a front-loading water bucket. “Goldstar” or “Comfort-Aire” is printed on the front. The model and serial numbers are printed on the interior of the dehumidifiers and can be viewed after the water bucket is removed. The recalled Portable Dehumidifiers sold nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150:

Goldstar: Model Number GHD30Y7, sold at Home Depot:
Serial number range: 611TAxx00001~08400, 611TAxx08401~40600, 612TAxx00001~20400, and 612TAxx21001~30600.

Goldstar: Model number DH305Y7, sold at Wal-Mart:
Serial number range: 612TAxx00001~00600, 701TAxx00001~16800, and 702TAxx00001~03000.

Comfort-Aire: Model number BHD-301-C, sold at Heat Controller Inc.:
Serial number ranges: 611TAxx00001~01697, 612TAxx00001~04200, 701TAxx00001~00578, and 710TAxx00001~00599.

The CPSC and Health Canada are advising consumers to immediately stop using the recalled dehumidifier, contact LG to determine if it is included in the recall, and return it to an authorized LG service center for a free repair. LG can be reached toll-free at 1-877-220-0479 between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday and between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Central Time on Saturday for the location of an authorized LG service center for the repair. Consumers can also visit the firm’s Web site at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com

We have been following the issue of defective and, sometimes, dangerous imports making their way into this country from China. The recalled 98,000 Portable Dehumidifiers, which were manufactured by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., of China, is just one of many recalls and issues concerning defective products, food, and medicines imported into this country from China. In 2008, nearly 80 percent of all product recalls in the U.S. involved imports from China. Products such as dog food, baby formula, toys with lead paint, and even pharmaceuticals like heparin were found to have been made with toxic materials and other counterfeit ingredients that have long put American consumers at significant health risks. Also making news is the ongoing and massive Chinese drywall disaster involving imports from that country.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 9:17 am and is filed under Legal News.