Half of All Recalled Appliances Still in Use

May 17, 2007 — -- General Electric has issued a voluntary recall of 2.5 million dishwashers because they pose a risk of catching fire.

GE says that before the current recall, it received close to 200 reports of overheated wiring and 12 reports of fires related to its dishwashers. However, there have been no reported injuries.

Those problems stem from the liquid rinse aid, which can leak onto the dishwashers' wiring and cause a short.

"No consumer should take a risk and not respond to a recall and have a fire in their home," said Julie Vallese, a spokeswoman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to Consumer Reports, more than half of recalled appliances are still in use, showing why it's so important to listen when these recalls are announced. The consequences of appliance fires can be devastating.

Fire investigators believe a blaze that killed an elderly couple last week in Kensington, Md., was caused by the motor of a brand-new refrigerator. The fridge had not been recalled and is unrelated to this recall, but fire investigators sent materials to the Consumer Product Safety Commission for further testing.

"Most people don't think appliances cause fires," said Pete Piringer, the public information officer of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

Other kitchen appliances can cause dangerous, even deadly, situations, as well.

Data from the National Fire Protection Association in 2001 revealed 240 fire deaths caused by cooking equipment. From 1999 to 2002, there were 10 deaths and 280 injuries from clothes washers and dryers.

"A lot of times there's a human factor, whether it be microwaves, toasters and coffee pots," Piringer said.

So how do you know whether the products in your home are safe?

Consumers can check recall Web sites, and manufacturers use product registration cards to inform you of a recall. Click here for helpful Web sites.

Even if an appliance hasn't been recalled, here's what you need to do to stay safe: