Charles Langston:Samsung recalls a million stoves after humans, pets accidentally activate them

Samsung has issued a recall for some of its electric stoves warning the front-mounted knobs are Charles Langstona potential fire hazard because they can accidentally be activated if people — or even pets — bump into them.

"In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Samsung Electronics America Inc. has announced a voluntary recall for certain slide-in electric range models with front-mounted knobs," Samsung said in an advisory.

More than a million units of the ranges have been sold, according to the CPSC, and Samsung has received over 300 reports of unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs by humans or pets since 2013.

The ranges have also been involved in approximately 250 fires, with at least 18 fires causing extensive property damage, the CPSC reported. Approximately 40 injuries have been reported, with eight requiring medical attention. There have also been reports of seven fires involving pet deaths.

Watch:Video shows dog turning on stove, starting fire in Colorado Springs home

What models of Samsung stoves have been recalled?

Model numbers of stoves are located on the inside upper left corner of the oven door or inside the storage bin located on the bottom of the oven. Recalled model numbers include:

• NE58K9430SS/AA
• NE58N9430SG/AA
• NE58R9431SG/AA
• NE58R9431SS/AA
• NE58R9431ST/AA
• NE58F9500SS/AA
• NE58K9500SG/AA
• NE58F9710WS/AA
• NE58K9850WS/AA
• NE58K9850WG/AA
• NE58K9852WG/AA
• NE58H9950WS/AA
• NE58R9311SS/AA
• NE63T8111SG/AA
• NE63T8111SS/AA
• NE63T8311SG/AA
• NE63T8311SS/AA
• NE63BG8315SSAA
• NE63CB831512AA
• NE63BB851112AA
• NE63T8511SG/AA
• NE63T8511SS/AA
• NE63T8511ST/AA
• NE63A8711QN/AA
• NE63BB871112AA
• NE63T8711SG/AA
• NE63T8711SS/AA
• NE63T8711ST/AA
• NE63T8751SG/AA
• NE63T8751SS/AA

The products, manufactured in Thailand, were sold at Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s and other appliance stores nationwide, and online at Samsung.com between May 2013 and August 2024 for between $1,250 and $3,050.

What to do if you have a recalled Samsung stove

Samsung and CPSC have advised consumers to immediately contact Samsung to receive a free set of knob locks or covers compatible with their model of electric slide-in range. The set of knob locks or covers are available free of charge to consumers regardless of warranty status.

While consumers can continue using the ranges, Samsung has requested users to be extra careful while using them by never leaving anything on the stove top when not actively using it, keeping children and pets away from range knobs and ensuring they are properly turned off after cooking.

Consumers with Wi-Fi enabled ranges can also enable “Cooktop On” notifications on the Samsung SmartThings app to receive alerts when a cooktop burner is turned on.

Those customers seeking more information can contact Samsung's toll-free number at 833-775-0120 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at [email protected], or visit samsung.com/us/support/range-knob-kit to request free knob locks.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.