Thousands of Galanz Retro Refrigerators have been recalled after they were linked to more than 30 reported fires, one of which resulted in a fatality, officials said.
The agency said the appliances were being pulled due to ignition concerns, noting that "the recalled refrigerators’ internal electrical components can short circuit and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards."
The fridges, which were manufactured in China, were sold on Amazon and at various Home Depot stores nationwide, retailing for between $330 and $520.
The appliances have a 7.6-cubic-foot capacity and were available in four colors—black, blue, red and white. They measure about 58 inches high, 24 inches deep, and 21 inches wide and feature either left- or right-hand door openings, with three adjustable glass shelves and one drawer. The top freezer also has its own door and one drawer with "Galanz" printed on the front.
The affected refrigerators include the model numbers BCD-215V-62H, GLR76TRDER, GLR76TBKER, GLR76TBEER, and GLR76TWEER. They also have date codes ranging from December 2018 through December 2020.
Galanz said customers with recalled refrigerators should register for the recall online. A repair kit will be shipped out to the address provided within a month after the recall registration is approved. The company said customers will also be able to schedule an in-home repair by a qualified technician, which will be completed at no additional cost.
"To help facilitate the repair, please keep the parts near the unit so they are available when the service technician arrives for your scheduled appointment," Galanz added. "Repair timing may vary based on your location and appointment availability."
The CPSC said a total of 34 fires were documented in connection with the recalled appliances. It was not immediately clear whether any additional injuries or property damage were reported. NTD reached out to Galanz for comment, but a response was not received by publication time.