BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers
CPSC Recall #24-181 — April 4, 2024
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 24-181 |
| Recall Date | April 4, 2024 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | About 1.6 million (518,500 units were previously recalled in November 2022) |
| Importer | Spectrum Brands Inc., of Middleton, Wis., owns subsidiary Empower Brands LLC |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Walmart |
| Target |
| Amazon |
| Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores nationwide |
| including online at www.walmart.com |
| www.target.com |
| www.amazon.com |
| www.bedbathandbeyond.com |
| and www.blackanddeckerappliances.com from June 2021 through February 2024 for between $14 and $23. |
Product
BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers
Description
This recall expansion involves all BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, including those that were repaired as part of the previous recall in November 2022. The steamers were sold in a variety of colors. The name BLACK+DECKER is located at the base of the steamer. The steamer measures about 11 inches high by 6 inches wide, and has a large handle. The model numbers are printed on the bottom of the steamer and on all sides of the color package, and UPC codes are printed on the sides, back and bottom of the color package. ModelUPCHGS011F 0 50875 82840 7HGS011S 0 50875 82839 1HGS011 0 50875 82838 4HGS011T0 50875 00272 2
Hazard
The steamers can expel, spray, or leak hot water during use, posing a burn hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Since the recall was announced in November 2022, Empower Brands has received 317 reports of hot water expelling from the recalled steamers, including 82 reports of burn injuries, seven of which were second-degree burns. 94 of these incident reports involved units that were repaired as part of the original recall or models featuring the updated design, including 19 burn injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, and contact Empower Brands to receive a full refund. There have been continued reports of burn injuries involving units that were repaired as part of the previous recall in November 2022. The remedy has now been changed to a refund for all units. Consumers, including those who received a replacement upper assembly as part of the November 2022 recall, should contact Empower Brands for a full refund.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Refund) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.