Walmart recalls General Electric® digital coffee makers for fire/burn hazards

May 21, 2010
5:06 am

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Walmart recalls General Electric® digital coffee makers for fire/burn hazards

05/20/2010 // West Palm Beach, Florida, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan

Bentonville, AR—Walmart Stores Inc., in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has recalled General Electric®-branded 12-cup digital coffee makers. The product safety recall was issued due to the fire and burn risks the coffee makers may pose. The CPSC announced the recall on Thursday, May 20, 2010.

Approximately 900,000 coffee makers are subject to the recall because they could potentially spark a blaze and/or burn consumers. The hazard is associated with overheating in the device.

According to the CPSC, “Walmart has received 83 reports of overheating, smoking, melting, burning and fire, including three reports of minor burn injuries to consumer’s hands, feet and torso. Reports of property damage include a significant kitchen fire and damage to countertops, cabinets and a wall.”

The defective General Electric® digital coffee makers were sold in white and black. They have programmable functions and plastic housing. The GE logo is affixed on the base of the coffee makers. The model number can be located on the bottom of the base.

Model numbers affected by the recall include 169164 for black coffee makers and 169165 for white coffee makers. No other coffee makers were affected by the safety recall.

The coffee makers were manufactured in China and sold in Walmart stores nationwide between March 2008 and January 2010. They are valued at about $30.

Consumers have been urged to cease use of the faulty coffee makers and return them to Walmart to receive a full reimbursement.

For additional information concerning the recall, consumers may contact Walmart at (800) 925-6278 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT. Consumers may also visit the company’s Web site at www.Walmart.com.