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CPSC,
Whirlpool Announce Recall of Microwave-Hood Combinations
WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Whirlpool Corp., of Benton
Harbor, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 1.8 million
microwave-hood combinations. These units can overheat and
catch fire.
Whirlpool has received seven reports of fires involving
these microwave- hood combinations. These incidents have
resulted in extensive property damage. No injuries have
been reported.
These are microwave oven and exhaust fan hood combination
units that are installed above ranges. They were sold under
the Whirlpool®, KitchenAid® and Kenmore® brand names. They
have serial numbers that begin with XC. Open the door to
locate the serial and model numbers. Department, electronics,
home and appliance stores, as well as builder and remodelers,
sold the microwave-hood combinations nationwide from January
1998 through September 2001 for between $249 and $749.
Consumers with recalled microwave-hood combinations should
immediately stop using them and disconnect the units by
unplugging them. Consumers can call Whirlpool Corp. for
a free repair. Consumers can contact Whirlpool at (800)
785-8897 anytime. Consumers also can visit Whirlpool's web
site at www.whirlpool.com. Consumers should have the model
and serial number of their unit available when they call
or visit the web site.
Whirlpool has developed a new "Consumer In-Home Service
Repair Information" Pamphlet (pdf format). This pamphlet
will provide consumers with detailed information concerning
the cause of the fires and what the in-home repair will
entail.
Countertop microwaves are not included in this recall.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the
public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000
types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury,
call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter
at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the
above numbers or visit the web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/103.html.
To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301)
504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter
the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and
recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.
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