LG Electronics, Sears Kenmore dryers recalled over fire hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced that LG Electronics and Sears are voluntarily recalling about 21,000 gas dryers because of overheating and fire hazard issues.

The recall, announced Aug. 21, includes not only LG Electronics brand dryers sold nationwide, but also Kenmore Elite gas dryers sold at Sears stores across the country. The dryers were sold between November 2009 and August 2010, retailing between $650 and $1,500.

The manufacturers are recalling the dryers in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission after 141 customers complained of dryers that continued to heat after the drying cycle was complete, according to the agency. There were three reports of customers suffering minor burns to the hands or arms, and there were reports of burnt or scorched clothing in more than 50 incidents.

The issue with the recalled dryers involves the gas valve failing to shut off properly. Burn, fire and smoke inhalation are risks that can result from the drum scorching as well as burns or damage to the dryer contents from the high temperatures inside and on the exterior surface of the affected dryers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning that anyone with a recalled dryer should turn off the gas supply and stop using it until it is repaired. Those who purchased LG or Kenmore brand dryers from Sears should contact Sears customer service to schedule a free repair to replace the gas valve, while those who bought LG brand dryers at stores other than Sears stores should contact LG customer service to arrange for a free gas valve replacement.

Sears customer service can be reached toll-free at (888) 375-9741 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday, and between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday. There is also a Product Recalls link in the Customer Service section on the company�s website, www.sears.com.

LG customer service can be reached toll-free at (866) 223-5355 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday, and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. There is also information on the Public Notices section on the company�s website, www.lg.com/us.

The LG dryer models are white, while the Kenmore Elite dryers come in red, white and ginger (gold).

The dryer model and serial numbers are on a label fixed to the front of the dryer above the opened door, and can be viewed only when the dryer door is open. The following list can help you confirm if your dryer is part of the recall. Note that you need to identify both the model and serial numbers, since not all dryers with the models listed are involved in the recall:

Brand

Model Numbers

Serial Numbers

LG Electronics

DLG0452W

DLG1320W

DLG2051W

001KW**00001 through 001KW**00090

911KW**00271 through 911KW**00630

001KW**00001 through 001KW**01518

002KW**00001 through 002KW**00450

911KW**00184 through 911KW**00561

912KW**00001 through 912KW**00090

001KW**00001 through 001KW**03150

002KW**00001 through 002KW**01620

911KW**00061 through 911KW**01860

912KW**00001 through 912KW**02520

Kenmore Elite�

796.90512900

796.90518900

796.91022900

796.91028900

796.91029900

796.92192900

796.92198900

796.92199900

001KW**00001~001KW**00180

911KW**00091~911KW**00450

912KW**00001~912KW**00450

001KW**00001~001KW**00540

002KW**00001~002KW**00090

911KW**00001~911KW**00450

912KW**00001~912KW**00270

001KW**00001~001KW**00360

002KW**00001~002KW**00042

911KW**00001~911KW**00315

912KW**00001~912KW**00540

001KW**00001~001KW**00270

002KW**00001~002KW**00090

911KW**00001~911KW**00171

912KW**00001~912KW**00539

001KW**00001~001KW**00270

911KW**00271~911KW**00402

912KW**00001~912KW**00450

001KW**00001~001KW**00270

911KW**00181~911KW**00542

912KW**00001~912KW**00270

001KW**00001~001KW**00360

911KW**00001~911KW**00440

912KW**00001~912KW**00270

001KW**00001~001KW**00084

911KW**00091~911KW**00361

912KW**00001~912KW**00270

Source: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12251.html