Fire risk: 1.5 million dehumidifiers recalled under GE, Kenmore, SoleusAir and other brands

More than 1.5 million dehumidifiers under brands including Kenmore, GE, SoleusAir, Norpole and Seabreeze have been recalled because some have caused fires, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced.

The dehumidifiers, manufactured by Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai, China, can overheat and catch fire, putting consumers at risk of burns and other health hazards. Consumers should stop using the dehumidifiers immediately, unplug them, and contact Gree for a refund, the announcement said.

This is Gree’s second major recall of dehumidifiers in recent years.

This week’s recall involves 42 different models manufactured between January 2011 and February 2014. The affected model numbers can be found here. The products are white, beige, gray or black, and measure 19 to 24 inches tall, and 13 to 15 inches wide, and 9 to 11 inches deep.

The brand name and pint capacity are printed on the back, front, or side of the dehumidifier.  The model number and date code can be found printed on a sticker, on either the back, front or side.

The CPSC said the company has received more than 700 complaints of problems, including 23 reports of fires and 688 incidents of overheating. Property damage totals $168,000.

The dehumidifiers were sold nationwide at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, Sam’s Club, Sears, Walmart and other retailers, for $110 to $400.

Interestingly, this recall follows Gree’s other recalls involving its dehumidifiers. In 2016, Gree reannounced recalls of 2.5 million dehumidifiers it manufactured under several brands, including Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore and SoleusAir. Those dehumidifiers also sold for $110 to $400.

The 2016 announcement said there were more than 2,000 complaints of the dehumidifiers overheating. About 450 incidents led to fires, causing more than $19 million in property damage. This recall was first announced in September 2013 and expanded in January 2014. In 2013, only 325 complaints had been reported, including 71 fires that caused $2.7 million in property damage.