Fire hazard prompts product recall

Thanks to the diligence and thoughtfulness of good neighbor Dale Donat, we've learned that at least two -- probably more -- Maytag refrigerator/freezers owned by residents of Yellowstone Place are under recall notices.

In a product recall announcement dated March 10, 2009, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 1.6 million units manufactured by Maytag and marketed under the following brand names: Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley®.

An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard. Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage. Both side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators are included in the recall. They were sold between January 2001 and January 2004 at a time when many of our Yellowstone Place units were being built.

Affected units were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner.

The sample illustration above shows where you should be able to find this information.

Yellowstone Place residents who want to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall should contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or you can go to either the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website or to the Maytag Repair website for further information. You can even schedule a service call on the Maytag website. We understand they are making repairs free of charge.

Thanks again to Dale Donat and Lorraine Collins for sharing this information, and please let your friends and neighbors know about this recall!