Sears Canada Advised of a Potential Safety Hazard Relating to Frigidaire(R) and Kenmore Elite(TM) Smoothtop Freestanding Electric Ranges

Wed Aug 26, 9:00 AM

TORONTO, Aug. 26 /CNW/ - Sears Canada has been advised by the Frigidaire division of Electrolux Canada Corp. of a potential safety hazard relating to certain Frigidaire(R) and Kenmore Elite(TM) smoothtop freestanding electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. It has been discovered that depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or 3) heat to different temperatures than those selected by unit controls. These characteristics pose fire and burn risks for consumers.

The ranges were sold through Sears Canada retail stores, online at www.sears.ca, and through the Sears Canada catalogue between June 2001 and September 2008. The affected model numbers and corresponding Sears item numbers are as follows:

    
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Model Number          Item Number           Serial No. Range begins with
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68802x              68802               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68803x              68803               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68804x              68804               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68808x              68808               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68809x              68809               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68830x              68830               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68832x              68832               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-68833x              68833               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-69803x              69803               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-69804x              69804               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-69808x              69808               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    C970-69809x              69809               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    CGLEFM97DBx              29829               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    CGLEFM97DSx              29822               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    CPLEF398ACx              28983               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    CPLEF398DCx              28993               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    CPLEFM99ECx              29843               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    CPLEFZ98GCx              28996               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    PGLEF388CSx              29642               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 VF122xxxxx to VF831xxxxx or
    PGLEF388ESx              29312               NF122xxxxx to NF806xxxxx
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

The model number can be found by opening the range drawer at the bottom of the unit. The information plate appears on the right side of the frame.

Sears Canada will be contacting potentially affected customers to arrange for a free repair of their smoothtop freestanding electric range. Sears customers who have not been in contact with Sears are asked to call our 24 hours line at 1-866-691-9948.

In the interest of consumer safety, Sears Canada urges customers who own an affected smoothtop freestanding electric range to cease use immediately. Sears Canada will be posting signs in all of its retail stores to advise customers of this safety hazard. Sears Canada is bringing this matter to the public's attention in the interest of consumer safety and apologizes for any inconvenience.

Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network of 196 corporate stores, 193 dealer stores, 41 home improvement showrooms, over 1,800 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 108 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

Contacts

Michelle Lennard
Sears Corporate Communications
(416) 435-5711
mlennar@sears.ca