Empower Brands recalls 1.6 million BLACK+DECKER garment steamers

Photo source: CPSC

The steamers can expel, spray, or leak hot water during use, posing a burn hazard

Empower Brands is recalling about 1.6 million BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, adding to the 518,500 units that were recalled in November 2022.

The steamers can expel, spray, or leak hot water during use, posing a burn hazard.

Since the earlier recall, Empower Brands has received 317 reports of hot water expelling from the recalled steamers, including 82 reports of burn injuries, seven of which were second-degree burns. Ninety-four of these incident reports involved units that were repaired as part of the original recall or models featuring the updated design, including 19 burn injuries.

This recall expansion involves all BLACK+DECKER Model HGS011 Easy Garment Steamers, including those that were repaired as part of the previous recall.

The steamers were sold in a variety of colors with the name BLACK+DECKER located at the base of the steamer.

The steamer measures about 11 inches high by 6 inches wide, and has a large handle.

The following model numbers are printed on the bottom of the steamer and on all sides of the color package, and with the UPC codes printed on the sides, back and bottom of the color package.

Model             UPC

HGS011F       0 50875 82840 7

HGS011S       0 50875 82839 1

HGS011         0 50875 82838 4

HGS011T       0 50875 00272 2

The steamers, manufactured in China, were sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores nationwide, including online at www.walmart.com, www.target.com, www.amazon.com, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, and www.blackanddeckerappliances.com from June 2021, through February 2024, for between $14 and $23.

What to do

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled steamers, and contact Empower Brands to receive a full refund.

There have been continued reports of burn injuries involving units that were repaired as part of the previous recall in November 2022. As a result, the remedy has now been changed to a refund for all units.

Consumers, including those who received a replacement upper assembly as part of the November 2022 recall, should contact Empower Brands for a full refund.

Consumers may contact Empower Brands at (800) 990-5298 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT), Monday through Friday, by email at hgsrecall@brandprotectplus.com or online at www.prodprotect.com/recall for more information.

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