Samsung Recalls Slide-In Electric Ranges Due To Fire Hazard

Samsung recently announced the recall of their slide-in electric ranges. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the front knobs on the ranges can be activated by accidental contact from pets or people, posing a significant fire hazard. Over 1 million units are affected by the recall which was announced on August 8. The recalled products were sold by Best Buy, Costco, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other major appliance stores nationwide, as well as through Samsung’s website.

Samsung is instructing consumers to contact them to receive a free set of knob locks or covers compatible with their model of electric slide-in range to install. Consumers who are using the recalled ranges without knob locks or covers are cautioned to keep children and pets away from the knobs, check the knots to make sure they are off before leaving your home or going to bed, and to not leave objects on the range when it’s not in use.

Consumers who have wifi-enabled ranges can switch the “Cooktop On” notification to “on” using their Samsung SmartThings app to receive alerts on their smartphones when a cooktop burner is turned on.

Injuries, deaths, and property damage 

Thus far, no deaths have been reported. However, Samsung has received over 300 reports of unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs by humans or pets since 2013. The ranges have been responsible for at least 250 fires. At least 18 of these fires have caused extensive property damage. Around 40 individuals have reported injuries as a result of the ranges. 8 of these injuries required medical intervention. Seven fires resulted in the deaths of family pets.

Product liability lawsuits 

Any individual who sustained injury or property damage as a result of the defective ranges can file a product liability lawsuit against Samsung to recover damages related to their medical expenses, lost wages, reduced quality of life, and property damage. In this case, the process of proving liability is simple. The ranges have a known defect related to the knobs that make them excessively easy to turn on. They can be accidentally triggered by children, pets, or people. Samsung manufactured this product and it caused extensive property damage in numerous cases as well as burn injuries that required medical attention.

In addition to Samsung, the retailer who made the product available in the stream of commerce can be held liable for exposing the public to danger. Retailers like Best Buy, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, and more all sold this product to the American public where it damaged homes, killed pets, and injured people.

Talk to a Florida Defective Stove Lawyer Today 

The Florida personal injury attorneys at Halpern, Santos & Pinkert represent the interests of consumers who have been injured by dangerous or defective products. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your injuries and the product that caused them right away.

Source:

cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Samsung-Recalls-Slide-In-Electric-Ranges-Due-to-Fire-Hazard