Bissell, a floor cleaning product company, has announced a recall of over 150,000 of its Multi Reach Hand and Floor Vacuum Cleaners due to a potential fire hazard. The United States Product Safety Commission released a statement on Thursday, indicating that the vacuum’s battery pack has the potential to “overheat and smoke, posing a fire hazard.” This recall affects 142,000 units in the United States and approximately 14,600 units sold in Canada.
The company was prompted to issue the recall after receiving 17 reports of the recalled vacuum cleaners smoking and emitting a burning odor. Six of the reports included the battery pack catching fire, resulting in minor property damage and minor burn injuries in some cases. As a result, Bissell is urging all consumers to stop using the vacuum immediately and visit their website for instructions on how to receive a free replacement.
The impacted vacuum cleaners were sold in-store at major retailers including Lowe’s, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, as well as online at several websites. Consumers are advised to cease use of the vacuums and contact the company for instructions on how to deplete the charge on the battery and receive a free replacement vacuum.
In addition to requesting consumers to stop using the vacuums, the release also advises on the proper disposal of the lithium batteries, stating that they must be handled differently than other batteries and should not be disposed of in the trash or in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores.
The specific model numbers impacted by the recall include 1985, 19851, 19859, 1985T, 2151, 21512, 21513, 21517, 21518, 21519, 2151A, 2151T, 2151W, and 2151V. Consumers can locate their model number on the product rating label behind the dirt tank.
This announcement serves as a cautionary reminder for consumers to be aware of potential product recalls and to follow proper safety procedures for the disposal of hazardous materials. Bissell’s proactive approach to addressing this safety issue demonstrates the company’s commitment to consumer safety and satisfaction.