GE Recall Targets 1.3 Million Dishwashers in US
General Electric has issued a recall of some of their dish washing appliances totaling 1.3 million individual units.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed Thursday that the voluntary recall includes about 1.3 million GE, GE Adora, GE Eterna, GE Profile and Hotpoint dishwashers.
An electrical failure in the dishwasher's heating element can pose a fire hazard and GE has already received 15 reports of fires, three of which caused extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported, the Louisville, Kentucky, company and the CPSC said in a statement.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The dishwashers in question were sold nationwide from March 2006 through August 2009 for $350 to $850. They came in black, white, bisque, stainless steel and clean steel colors and finishes.
As a precaution, the government advised consumers to stop using the dishwashers and immediately disconnect the electric supply by either unplugging the unit or by shutting off the fuse or circuit breaker.
The government explained that consumers who have the recalled units should not to return the dishwashers to stores where they were purchased, but should contact GE who stated they will provide free repairs or rebates toward new dishwashers.
CPSC chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum, in a recent speech given at the National Press Club, credited new consumer safety laws with making people safer. The law, which has been in effect since 2008, has "created one of the strongest product safety systems in the world," as reported by AP.
"Parents of children who were killed by products that were defective or dangerous wished these new rules were in place years ago … and parents who were once unsure of the safety of the marketplace now have greater confidence that stronger standards and independent testing are in place for children's products," she added.
For more information on the dishwasher recall, consumers are encouraged to contact GE at (866) 918-8760 or visit GE's website at www.geappliances.com/recall.
