Is Your Mini Fridge a Fire Hazard? 630K Recalled Over Dangerous Defect

Winter break is over and many students are returning to their dorms, which often means using their mini fridges. Unfortunately, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) recently announced a mini fridge recall. This isn’t the first fridge recall due to a fire risk; the USCPSC reports that “Curtis International previously recalled 634,000 minifridges in July 2024.” As such, it’s important to be careful with your mini fridges even when they aren’t subject to a recall.

Why Are These Fridges So Dangerous?

According to the USCPSC brief, “the minifridges’ internal electrical components can short circuit and ignite the surrounding plastic housing, posing fire and burn hazards.” As of the release of the recall, “Curtis International has received at least six reports of the model EFMIS121 minifridges catching fire, with property damages.” If you own one of these fridges, minimize your use of it and be extra cautious until you’ve replaced it.

Which Fridges Are a Fire Risk?

Per the USCPSC, this recall includes “about 330,000…Frigidaire-brand Minifridges, model EFMIS121, with limited serial numbers. ” This is not the first Curtis International mini fridge recall due to a fire hazard. This recall is in fact an expansion and it is “in addition to certain minifridges with model numbers EFMIS129, EFMIS137, EFMIS149 and EFMIS175 that were previously recalled.” All of these mini fridges were sold at Target stores. Double check the model number of yours against the complete list to confirm whether or not you’re in danger. 

Is There a Fix?

If you own one of the mini fridges in question, you should immediately stop using it. Unplug it and move your perishables to a different fridge or cooler. The recall website has the complete list of steps you’ll need to take to claim your refund. Make sure you complete all of them so you can get your refund as soon as possible. 

In order to be eligible, you “should unplug and cut the power cord and write ‘Recall’ using a permanent marker on the front door of the unit.” Once you’ve registered for the recall, you “should dispose of the recalled minifridges in accordance with local and state regulations.” Once you’ve completed all of these steps, you should be able to receive your refund. Then you can replace your mini fridge with one that hopefully won’t burn down your dorm room 0r home.

Source

Curtis International Expands Recall of Frigidaire-brand Minifridges Due to Fire and Burn Hazards, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2026.

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