Recalled dehumidifier likely caused house fire in Normal

Posted on September 14, 2018

 

Normal Fire
Normal fire investigators believe a defective dehumidifier that had been recalled started a September 8 house fire at 302 Augustine Way. (Normal Fire Department)

 

By Howard Packowitz

If you have a dehumidifier in your home, the Normal Fire Department is urging you to make sure the unit is not on a recall list.

A recalled dehumidifier that overheated is said to be the cause of a fire that happened a week ago on Normal’s near east side.

No one was hurt in the fire that broke out just before five o’clock last Saturday morning at 302 Augustine Way. Working smoke alarms alerted residents to the fire.

Normal Assistant Fire Chief Mike Morrison said anyone with recalled dehumidifiers should stop using them and contact the manufacturer.

He said there have been millions of dehumidifiers that have been recalled in recent years under numerous brand names and models. The largest recalls involve two manufacturers, Gree and Midea. A defect causes the dehumidifiers to overheat, begin smoking, and eventually catch fire.

About 450 fires have been reported, causing more than $19 million in property damage.

If you’re not sure if your dehumidifier is recalled, the fire department said there are many resources to help you check.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

The CPSC compiles product recalls. Search “dehumidifier recall” to get additional resources.

Website: https://www.cpsc.gov/

Hotline: 1-800-638-2772

GREE RECALL

Website: http://greedehumidifierrecall.com/
Phone: 1-866-853-2802

Gree has recalled 2.5 million dehumidifiers under these brand names.  If you see your brand on the list, go to http://greedehumidifierrecall.com/ProductEntry.aspx for more detailed information:

  • Danby
  • De’Longhi
  • Fedders
  • Fellini
  • Frigidaire
  • GE
  • Gree
  • Kenmore
  • Norpole
  • Premiere
  • Seabreeze
  • SoleusAir
  • SuperClima

MIDEA RECALL

Website: https://us.midea.com/Product-Recall-Information

Phone: 1-800-600-3055

Midea has recalled 3.4 million dehumidifiers sold under these brand names. If you see your brand on the list, go to https://www.recallrtr.com/dehumidifier for more detailed information:

  • Airworks
  • Alen
  • Arcticaire
  • Arctic King
  • Beaumark
  • Coolworks
  • ComfortAire
  • Comfort Star
  • Continental Electric
  • Crosley
  • Daewoo
  • Danby
  • Danby & Designer
  • Dayton
  • Degree
  • Diplomat
  • Edgestar
  • Excell
  • Fellini
  • Forest Air
  • Frigidaire
  • GE
  • Grunaire
  • Hanover
  • Honeywell
  • Homestyles
  • Hyundai
  • Ideal Air
  • Kenmore (Canada)
  • Keystone
  • Kul
  • Midea
  • Nantucket
  • Ocean Breeze
  • Pelonis
  • Perfect Aire
  • Perfect Home
  • Polar Wind
  • Premiere
  • Professional Series
  • Royal Sovereign
  • Simplicity
  • Sunbeam
  • SPT
  • Sylvania
  • TGM
  • Touch Point
  • Trutemp
  • Uberhaus
  • Westpointe
  • Winix
  • Winixl

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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