Haier America Recalls Chest Freezers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.  It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)  

Name of product: Chest Freezers

Units: About 67,500

Importer:  Haier America Trading LLC, New York, N.Y.

Hazard: A capacitor in the freezer's circuitry can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Haier America and CPSC have received reports of 18 incidents, including four reports of fires with minor property damage, consisting of smoke damage, damage to a wall, and food spoilage. There have been no reports of injuries.

Description:  This recall involves the Black & Decker® Model BFE53 and Haier® Model ESNCM053E 5.3 cubic foot capacity white chest freezers. "Black & Decker" is printed at the front upper-right corner or "Haier" is printed on the front upper-left corner of the freezer. "Black & Decker" or "Haier," the model number, the unit's serial number and other information are printed on a rating label at the top center of the back of the freezer. Only Model BFE53 and Model ESNCM053E freezers with serial numbers beginning as follows are included in this recall:

Sold at: Black & Decker Model BFE53 was sold exclusively at Wal-Mart nationwide from January 2010 through September 2010, for about $150.  Haier Model ESNCM053E was sold through Amazon.com and other retailers from May 2010 through October 2010 for between $220 to $290.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug their freezer and contact the company to schedule an appointment for a free repair to the freezer.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call the company toll-free at (877) 878-7579 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Sundays or visit the firm's website at www.chestfreezerrecall.com.

Photos are available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11028.html.

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product.  Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx.

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission