250 fires, some of which killed pets, started by now-recalled Samsung electric ranges
Samsung recalled more than a million slide-in electric ranges sold over the last 11 years for a knob issue that has led to fires and pets being killed.
As explained in the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, the “front-mounted knobs on the ranges can be activated by accidental contact by humans or pets, posing a fire hazard.”
The notice says Samsung knows about this happening at least 300 times since 2013. That’s caused 250 fires, 18 of which “caused extensive property damage;” 40 human injuries, of which eight “required medical attention;” and “seven fires involving pet deaths.”
The 30 model numbers of the 1,120,905 ranges involved in this recall can be found on the recall notice or on Samsung’s recall section of the company website. They were sold at appliance stores, big box stores such as Costco, Lowe’s, The Home Depot and online from May 2013 through this month for $1,250 to $3,050.
Samsung is offering a free set of knob locks or covers, as well as the suggestion to take everything off the cooktop when it’s not being used. Also, if your range has wifi powers, the “Cooktop On” notification with the Samsung app can send alerts when someone or something turns on a cooktop burner.
To reach out to Samsung for the knob locks or covers, go to the website hyperlinked above, call Samsung at 833-775-0120, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time or email rangesupport@sea.samsung.com.
