Portable Dehumidifiers

CPSC Recall #10-316 — August 9, 2010

Recall Summary

Recall Number10-316
Recall DateAugust 9, 2010
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 98,000 (previously recalled in December 2009)
ManufacturerLG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., of China
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

The Home Depot
Walmart and Heat Controller Inc. nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150.

Product

Portable Dehumidifiers

Description

This recall involves 30-pint portable dehumidifiers sold under the brand names in the chart 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.BrandModel No.Serial Number RangeSold atGoldstarGHD30Y7611TAxx00001~08400611TAxx08401~40600612TAxx00001~20400612TAxx21001~30600Home DepotGoldstarDH305Y7612TAxx00001~00600701TAxx00001~16800702TAxx00001~03000WalmartComfort-AireBHD-301-C611TA000001~001697612TA000001~004200701TA000001~000578710TA000001~000599Heat Controller Inc.

Hazard

The power connector for the dehumidifier's compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

LG has received four additional reports of fires involving the recalled dehumidifiers, including one that resulted in significant damage to a home. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should 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.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.