Millions of steamers are being recalled from multiple different vendors due to a possible burn risk.
Vornado announced a voluntary recall for its handheld garment steamers on February 8. Products included in this recall include the Steamfast SF-425, SF-440, SF-445, SF-447, and SF-435 models, the Sharper Image SI-428, and Vornado VS-410, according to the recall notice.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the recall affects about two million of these products. The company initiated this recall due to the devices expelling hot water from their steam nozzle, creating a “serious burn hazard to consumers.”
Consumers who have these devices are advised to stop using them immediately. The company’s website features a portal where owners can determine if they have a recalled item to receive a refund or a replacement.
Richard L. Trumka Jr., Commissioner of the CPSC, said in a statement that “it’s time for [Vornado’s] leadership to take a hard look at their priorities and to place a greater emphasis on safety.”
Trumka noted that the recall announcement fell near the second anniversary of the company’s $7.5 million civil penalty for its space heaters’ fire hazards and its recall of 1.75 million steamer units in April 2023 due to burning, electric shock, and fire hazards.
Trumka said that he was “troubled” by these continued occurrences, urging the company to “reassess its safety culture.”
“I believe that it’s time for the company’s leadership to take a hard look at their priorities and to place a greater emphasis on safety. Consumers notice when a company’s name is repeatedly in the headlines for safety recalls or noncompliance,” said Trumka in the statement. “Without a change, Vornado runs the risk of its brand becoming synonymous with safety hazards.”
