In a significant move impacting consumers nationwide, Empower Brands has initiated a recall of two million Black+Decker garment steamers. This action comes in response to numerous reports of users experiencing burn injuries due to the appliance expelling, spraying, or leaking hot water during use.
The recall announcement, made by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, underscores the serious hazard these popular household items pose.
Black+Decker: A Troubling Pattern of Injuries
Empower Brands’ decision follows a troubling influx of 317 consumer reports detailing incidents where hot water was unexpectedly released from the steamers.
Among these reports, 82 cases resulted in burn injuries to users, including seven incidents of second-degree burns. Alarmingly, this is not the first time the company has had to recall these steamers for similar safety concerns.
In November 2022, over half a million Black+Decker steamers were recalled due to comparable issues, with Empower Brands offering free replacements for the upper assembly of the steamer.
Despite these measures, including repairs and updates to the design following the initial recall, nearly one-third of the new incidents reported involved steamers that had been previously repaired or featured the updated design.
Immediate Consumer Action Required on Black+Decker
The current recall encompasses all models of the Black+Decker Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, even those that underwent repairs after the first recall. Consumers in possession of these steamers are urged to cease using them immediately and contact Empower for a full refund.
The recalled models were available for purchase across major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Bed Bath & Beyond, both in stores and online, from June 2021 through February 2024. The price range for these steamers was between $14 and $23, making them an accessible option for many households.
Identifying the recalled products is straightforward for consumers; they need to look for the model numbers HGS011F, HGS011S, HGS011, or HGS011T.
These numbers can be found at the bottom of the steamer or on the sides of its packaging. Additionally, the UPCs 0 50875 82840 7, 0 50875 82839 1, 0 50875 82838 4, and 0 50875 00272 2 located on the sides, back, and bottom of the color package can help verify the product’s recall status.
2 million Black+Decker steamers were recalled because people were getting burned https://t.co/poIetZZZ2F
— Quartz (@qz) April 5, 2024
The Importance of Consumer Safety
This widespread recall serves as a critical reminder of the importance of product safety and the need for consumers to stay informed about the products they use in their homes. Empower Brands’ proactive response to the risk posed by their garment steamers is a crucial step in preventing further injuries.
However, the recurrence of such incidents after a previous recall raises questions about the effectiveness of repair and redesign strategies for consumer appliances.
As the situation develops, affected customers are encouraged to reach out to Empower Brands for refunds and to discontinue the use of the recalled Black+Decker steamers to ensure their safety and the safety of their families.
