Samsung is recalling over 1 million electric stoves sold in the US between 2013 and 2024 due to a fire hazard caused by faulty front-mounted knobs. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that the knobs can be activated by accidental contact by humans or pets, posing a fire hazard.
The stoves impacted by the recall were widely sold in Costco, Home Depot, Best Buy, Lowe’s, and other appliance stores nationwide. The CPSC said that the knobs can be easily triggered by accident, heating up the cooktop and increasing the risks of fires. Since 2013, Samsung has received over 300 reports of unintentional activation, resulting in approximately 250 fires, 18 of which caused extensive property damage. There have also been reports of seven fires involving pet deaths.
Consumers who bought one of the 30 affected models can contact Samsung online or by phone or email to receive free knob locks and covers. These locks and covers can prevent accidental activation and reduce the risk of fires. Samsung has also introduced precision knobs that require a pinching motion to activate the stove, providing an additional safety measure.
Until knob locks and covers are installed, customers can continue using their stoves, but the CPSC advises people to keep children and pets away from the knobs, check the range knobs to ensure they are off before leaving the home or going to bed, and avoid leaving objects on the range when the range is not in use.
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