Empower Brands has announced a recall of more than two million Black+Decker Easy Garment Steamers sold nationwide due to reports of hot water spewing instead of steam from the products. The recall includes steamers that were previously repaired as part of a prior recall in November 2022. Since the initial recall, the company has received 317 reports of hot water spewing from the steamers, resulting in 82 burn injuries, including seven second-degree burns. The recalled steamers were sold at retailers such as Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart, as well as online from June 2021 through February 2024 for prices ranging from $14 to $23. The affected steamers have one of four specific model numbers printed on the bottom.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled Black+Decker Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers are urged to stop using them immediately and contact Empower Brands for a full refund. The company can be reached by phone at 800-990-5298 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or by email at hgsrecall@brandprotectplus.com or through their website www.prodprotect.com/recall. This recall comes shortly after Vornado recalled two million garment steamers for the same reason, citing 122 reports of hot water spraying and 23 burn injuries. Additionally, HSN was fined $16 million for failing to disclose a similar defect involving 5.4 million steamers recalled in May 2021, resulting in hundreds of complaints and over 100 burn injuries related to leaks and spewing water.
The recall affects all Black+Decker Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers sold between June 2021 and February 2024, with specific model numbers printed on the bottom. Reports of hot water spewing instead of steam have resulted in 82 burn injuries, with seven of those being second-degree burns. Consumers who have purchased one of these steamers are advised to return them for a full refund and to stop using them immediately. The recall is an expansion of a previous recall in November 2022, in response to ongoing incidents of scalding injuries caused by the malfunctioning steamers.
The affected steamers were sold at various retailers, including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart, as well as online. Customers who have purchased one of the recalled units are encouraged to contact Empower Brands for a full refund. The company can be reached by phone or email during business hours and through their website. This recall follows a pattern in the industry, with Vornado also recalling garment steamers for the same issue. Additionally, HSN faced a substantial fine for failing to disclose a similar defect that led to burn injuries among consumers. Manufacturers and retailers are under increased scrutiny to ensure the safety of their products and to respond promptly to reports of defects.
