Samsung has recalled 663,500 washing machines after 51 reports of the machines ‘smoking, melting, overheating, or starting a fire.’
The company and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled six versions of a top-loading washing machine on Thursday.
The recalled models are: WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A, and WA55A. The model and serial number can be found inside the top lid. It also comes in various colors, including: white, black, champagne, and ivory.
CPSC said the machines can ‘short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard’ to consumers and owners should ‘immediately check whether their washer’s software has been updated to prevent the hazard.’
There have been 51 reports of ‘smoking, melting, overheating, or fire involving the washers.’ And 10 of those incidents have caused property damage and three have led to smoke inhalation injuries, according to the CPSC.
Samsung said on its own recall page that the washer’s software version should be at 85 or higher or it needs to be updated immediately.
The recalled models are: WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A, and WA55A. The model and serial number can be found inside the top lid. It also comes in various colors, including: white, black, champagne, and ivory
CPSC said the machines can ‘short-circuit and overheat, posing a fire hazard’ to consumers and owners should ‘immediately check whether their washer’s software has been updated to prevent the hazard’
‘All Wi-Fi equipped washers that are plugged into a power source and actively connected to the internet will automatically download the free software repair over-the-air when they are connected to the internet,’ CPSC said.
‘Consumers whose washer does not have Wi-Fi capability or who otherwise wish to receive a free software repair without connecting to the internet, should immediately stop using the washer and contact Samsung directly for a free dongle to plug in and download the free software repair.’
Samsung said the software can be checked by turning on the washer, pressing the cycles in the order of 1-3-2-3, and the number will pop up on the screen.
To update the washer, consumers will have to download the app SmartThings, download the software, connect the washer to the app, and press start. After it updates, consumers are advised to double check the software version is at 85 or higher.
The machines were sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Costco, and on Samsung’s website between June 2021 and December 2022 for $900 to $1,500.
After 51 reports of ‘smoking, melting, overheating, or fire involving the washers,’ the company is urging all consumers to double check the software version on their product
The number sequence is plugged in by hitting the wash cycles in a certain order, which can change by model, but is always 1-3-2-3
All the washers except a few are activated by hitting temperature, spin, rinse, and spin, in that order. The WA49B and WA50B goes: temperature, soil, spin, soil
For those who need to update software, they will have to download the SmartThings app and follow instructions (pictured). Out of the 51 incidents, 10 of those incidents have caused property damage and three have led to smoke inhalation injuries, according to the CPSC
CPSC issued a slew of recalls just days before Christmas, including a deadly weighted blanket intended for children sold by Target, as well as a gas fireplace, a sweatshirt, and shorts.
The government agency recalled the weighted blanket after two young sisters in North Carolina suffocated to death inside one. Months after the deaths, and with just days left before Christmas, the agency recalled 240,000 of the blankets.
The sisters, ages 4 and 6, died of asphyxia after they became entrapped in the The Pillowfort Weighted Blanket, which includes a zipper.
The weighted blanket, which sold for $40 exclusively at Target stores nationwide, and online since December 2018 through September 2022, were recalled on Thursday by the Consumer and Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Minneapolis-based Target Corporation.
The Pillowfort Weighted Blanket (pictured) was recalled after several children died using it
Four hundred units of Ortal’s traditional gas fireplaces – the 90 and 110 versions – were recalled after it was reported to be a fire hazard if improperly installed. Problems with heat release and ventilation can pose a fire hazard
The Life is Good Company’s darkest blue women’s fleece sweatshirts and men’s fleece shorts were recalled due to violation of federal flammability standard and burn injuries to consumers
Approximately 750 units of the sweatshirts and men’s shorts were recalled
Additional products that were considered unsafe by the CPSC include The Life is Good Company’s darkest blue women’s fleece sweatshirts and men’s fleece shorts due to violation of federal flammability standard and burn injuries to consumers.
Approximately 750 units of the clothing were recalled.
Four hundred units of Ortal’s traditional gas fireplaces – the 90 and 110 versions – were recalled after it was reported to be a fire hazard if improperly installed. Problems with heat release and ventilation can pose a fire hazard.
The Scotch Thermal Laminator, TL1302, manufactured by 3M Scotch was also recalled due to a safety feature malfunction that occurs when the laminator overheats, again posing a fire hazard. Approximately, 516,500 are part of the recall, in addition to about 3,560 that were sold in Canada.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk