Samsung recalls 1 million electric stoves after reports of pets causing fires

Samsung is recalling more than 1 million electric stoves after the products were linked to hundreds of fires over the past decade.

The stoves are equipped with front-mounted knobs that can be accidentally turned on by humans or pets, posing a fire hazard, Consumer Product Safety Commission officials said Thursday.

Samsung has received over 300 reports of unintentional activation of the knobs since 2013, resulting in about 250 fires, according to the CPSC.

At least 18 of the fires caused “extensive property damage” and approximately 40 injuries were reported, eight of which required medical attention. The company also received reports of seven fires involving pet deaths.

The recall covers certain slide-in electric ranges with front-mounted knobs sold between May 2013 and August 2024 at Best Buy, Costco, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other appliance stores nationwide, as well on Samsung’s website.

Consumers can contact Samsung to receive a free set of knob locks or covers for their stoves.

In the meantime, the company is advising consumers to keep children and pets away from the knobs and to avoid leaving objects on top of the stove while it is not in use.

Those with Wi-Fi-enabled ranges can enable the “cooktop on” notification on the Samsung SmartThings app to receive alerts when a burner is turned on.

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“Never place, leave, or store anything on the top of your range,” CPSC officials said in a statement. “Such items can ignite if the range is accidentally activated or left on. Fires can occur when items are left on the top surface of any range that is accidentally activated or left on.”

A complete list of affected models can be found on the CPSC's website.