READ THIS NEXT: If You Bought This at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls, “Immediately Stop Using” It, Officials Warn. So far this year, a wide range of products have been recalled, including several appliances. In June, certain Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerators were recalled after a faulty ice level detector arm in the ice maker was discovered. Six additional refrigerator models were pulled in April, this time by GE Appliances. The freezer handle had the potential to break off and pose a fall hazard, having already resulted in 37 injuries by April 14, per the CPSC.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb More recently, U-Line Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, voluntarily recalled its Outdoor Series 24-inch Built-In Convertible Freezers. According to a notice from the CPSC, the freezers had the potential to overheat and create a fire hazard. By Oct. 13, when the recall was announced, three freezer fires had already been reported. Now, the CPSC announced yet another appliance recall, and this time it affects a steamer that may be in your hall closet or laundry room. On Nov. 3, the CPSC announced that Empower Brands is recalling specific Black+Decker Garment Steamers. The recall includes models HGS011, HGS011F, and HGS011S, and you can find this information printed on the bottom of the steamer base. The date codes are on the power plug blade, starting with three numbers and ending with ZJ. If your steamer has a number less than 211, like 102ZJ or 210ZJ, it may be affected, but if it’s 211 or higher, like 211ZJ or 220ZJ, it’s not included in the recall. Universal product codes (UPC) also correspond with certain models, printed on the side, back, and bottom of packaging. Model HGS011F has a UPC of 0 50875 82840 7; model HGS011S has a UPC of 0 50875 82839 1; and model HGS011 has a UPC 0 50875 82838 4. The Black+Decker brand name is also printed at the bottom of the steamers. RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. Approximately 518,500 steamers were distributed between June 2021 and Sept. 2022, priced between $16 and $23. They were sold in stores and online at popular retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond, among others, and also available on Black+Decker’s website. They’ve been pulled due to potential burn hazards, as steamers “can expel, spray or leak hot water during use, posing a burn hazard to consumers,” the CPSC announcement states. To date, Empower Brands has received a substantial number of incident reports, including 241 reports of hot water “expelling from the steamer.” Thirty-two of these incidents resulted in burn injuries, two of which were second-degree burns. If you’re worried you have a recalled steamer, there are a few key indicators you can check for aside from the model number and UPC. Steamers came in several colors and were approximately 11 inches high and six inches wide, equipped with a large handle. If you still have the original packaging, you can look for a green dot on the bottom. If you don’t see one, your steamer is a part of the recall. Without the box, you can remove the steamer head and look on the underside for a “triangle notch” on the plastic seam. If there’s no triangle, it’s another sign your steamer is part of the recall. The CPSC asks that you “immediately stop using” recalled steamers and reach out to Empower Brands directly for a free replacement head. You can call the company at 800-990-5298 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. central time, Monday through Friday, or send an email to [email protected] You can also visit the product recall page and register for your replacement part there.
