General Electric has recalled nearly 132,000 electric and gas ranges in the United States and about 13,000 more in Canada because of a dangerous tipping risk. The ranges can tip over if something heavy is placed on an open oven door.
According to Consumer Reports, the tip-overs could occur if the range’s anti-tip bracket is not secured properly or if it is not installed at all.
Details of the Tip Risk Recall
So far, no injuries or incidents have been reported, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall includes 30-inch, 24-inch, and 20-inch free-standing and slide-in electric and gas ranges, from seven brands: GE, GE Profile, Café, Haier, Hotpoint, Crosley, and Conservator, all of which could carry the tipping risk.
The ranges were sold in stores such as Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other home improvement and home appliance stores nationwide and online from May 2021 through July 2021 for between $580 and $4,600, depending on the model.
If you have one of these recalled ranges at home and continue to use them, do not place any objects such as pots of food on the open oven door, due to the tip risk. Contact GE to determine if your range is part of this recall and to schedule a free, in-home service call to inspect the range’s anti-tip bracket and make sure it has been properly secured to the floor or wall.
Consumers are asked not to return the ranges to the place of purchase since retailers are not prepared to take the units back. GE is contacting all known purchasers directly. If you have any questions, contact GE Appliances at 877-247-9770.
The Danger of Tip Overs
All cooking ranges are required to be sold with an anti-tip bracket. According to statistics, every two weeks, a child is fatally injured as the result of a tip-over caused by a piece of furniture, a television, or an appliance tipping over. Consumer Reports states that while half the tip-over fatalities involving kids happen in the bedroom, range tip-overs are also fairly common.
Stove and range tip-overs account for most of the incidents involving appliances, according to the CPSC. So, if you have a range, this might be a good time to make sure it is secured with an anti-tip bracket, even if it is not a part of this recall.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a tip-over accident, please contact an experienced product defect lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights. You may be able to file a product liability lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/recalls/ge-recalls-ranges-due-to-tip-over-hazard-a3149451094/
