According to news sources, about 14,000 units of Hamilton Beach Toasters have been recalled due to a fire hazard arising from the heating element of the toasters becoming energized even when the toaster lifter is in the up or off position.
The company, Hamilton Beach Brands Inc., has announced the voluntary recall of the Hamilton Beach chrome 2-slice toaster product in cooperation with The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The toaster can be energized while plugged in even if the lifter is up or off, posing a potential fire hazard. The recalled toaster has a model number 22602 and has been sold from August 2011 through November 2011 for a retail price ranging from $19 to $34.
There have been no reported injuries to date.
Consumers with the product should stop using it and contact the company at (800) 576-6600 for a free replacement.
As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I hope the conclusions of this research will lead to more effective safety measures to protect consumers. If you have purchased a product that has been identified as a potential risk, return it to your place of purchase and contact the distribution company. If you or a loved one has been injured through the use of a defective product, speak with a product liability lawyer Los Angeles to learn about the legal options available to you.
