home appliance safety

Homeowners Beware: LG Recalls Electric Ranges Due to Safety Risks

 If you own an LG electric range, you may need to act fast. Get the details on the latest recall and what it means for you.

 What Happened? 

A new recall has been announced for LG  Slide-In and Freestanding Electric Ranges sold from 2015 to January of this year, 2025.  



Over 500,000 of these units have been sold in that time period. The consumer product safety commission has received at least 86 reports of unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs. They have been involved in dozens of fires, injuries and pet deaths according to the CPSC. 



The products were manufactured in both Mexico and Korea and imported by LG  Electronics USA in New Jersey. They were sold in a variety of major stores, including Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Lowe’s across the United States. Depending on the model, they retailed for between $1,400 and $2,650.



 It is important to note, that this is not a refund or even a repair that is being offered by LG. Instead, they are offering a warning label which reminds users to turn on the Control Lock / Lock Out feature before stepping away from the stove. They also have a video which guides owners on how to use the feature. 




Who is Affected? 

The recall includes LG Slide-In and Freestanding Electric Ranges sold between 2015 and January 2025 at major retailers like Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. Depending on the model, they retailed for between $1,400 and $2,650.

You can check the full list at www.tinyurl.com/LGRecall.

Courtesy of LG


What is a Recall? 

A recall occurs when a manufacturer or regulatory authority determines that a product poses a safety risk or fails to meet regulatory standards.  (In the United States, this is most often the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.) This action is taken to protect consumers from potential harm and ensure the integrity of the product.



Recalls can be initiated for various reasons, including defects in design or manufacturing, safety concerns, or failure to meet regulatory requirements. In the case of appliances like stoves or ranges, recalls may be issued due to problems with components such as burners, electrical systems, or structural integrity.



When a recall is initiated, the manufacturer typically works with relevant regulatory agencies to notify consumers of the issue and provide instructions on how to address it. This often involves contacting affected consumers directly, issuing public announcements through various channels, and coordinating efforts to repair or replace the affected products. 



Why is a Sticker  Enough? 

In 2024, Samsung recalled over 1.1 million ovens for a similar hazard, and the CPSC has warned that unintended burner activation has resulted in serious fires, injuries, and even fatalities. 



Also in 2024 we had the Kenmore / Frigidaire recall. Here we had 203,000 ovens which were affected. Again with reports of fires occurring and people and property being damaged



So, why is LG allowed to only offer a sticker as a “repair”?



To begin with, the LG ovens are being turned on, although unintentionally, bye the user or pets.



Additionally, there are three different tiers of safety features, according to LG.  The first is a burner on light, the second is an alert beep that goes off when a knob is turned off, and finally there is the Control Lock / Lock Out feature. In a statement to USA Today, Senior Vice President of LG Electronics USA, John I Taylor emphasized that the affected products have a proven safety feature. 



Additionally, LG was sued over this issue in 2022 with a US district Court dismissing the class action lawsuit in 2023 citing that the ranges were still under a 1-year warranty. 


 According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the sticker and a reminder to use the built-in feature is enough.




What Do I Do? 

Start by locating the model number on the inside of your oven door or the bottom storage drawer and compare it against the list at this link


Next up, whether or not you have one of the affected models, it would be beneficial to review LG's video for how to use the control lock/lock out function.  www.vimeo.com/1037322282.


Fire safety professionals are recommending installing stove knob locks to prevent unintentional activation. They also recommend keeping objects off the stove when not in use as well as double checking burner knobs before you leave home or go to bed.



We feel it is important to note that while LG and the CSPC believe the features listed are in fact enough to rely on consumer diligence, accidents can happen as has been shown; pets and small children can easily activate these knobs when left unattended. Given these dangers we ask that you consider the situation with all due caution and what safety precautions best fit your home. 



If you realize that your range has been acting oddly and it's not because of this recall, reach out to us at Appliance Rescue Service. There should never be a time when you fear leaving your home because your oven is turning on at random, or that your pet might accidentally bump it. We will work with you to find a date and time that fits your schedule so that we can get to the bottom of any issues. Our technicians are experienced in working on all sorts of appliances, new and old. Our top priority is always ensuring that your home is running smoothly.


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courtesy of StockSnap

Keep the Spark Alive: How to Spot & Prevent Electrical Issues in Your Appliances

From flickering lights to strange smells, electrical issues in your appliances can be serious. Here’s how to address them before they get worse.

Electricity is integral to our homes. From our food to our clothes to the large majority of our entertainment, all of it has something to do with electricity. Our appliances especially with a few notable exceptions, run on electricity. Which means keeping that spark working properly and safe is important. This week we're looking at the risks that can occur from an overloaded circuit or faulty wiring as well as how to spot and take preventative measures.



WHAT IS AN OVERLOAD? 

Before we go digging into your appliances and how your home is set up, you need to understand what an overload is and what causes them. 



An electrical circuit is the path that electricity flows along. It's made up of wires, conductors, switches, and a circuit breaker, which acts as a safety device. A circuit allows electricity to flow from the power source or outlet to all of the devices that are hooked to that outlet. 




Power strips daisy chained together and overloaded

Courtesy of Conger Design

If you think of a circuit like  A river, then a circuit is overloaded when the water passing through it is at more than what the appliances and devices connected to it need or when they are pulling too much through the circuit.  For example if  your outlet is pulling double what your refrigerator needs, it is as if the river has overflowed. The gauge of the wire, the rating of the circuit breaker, and the electrical panel all work together to establish the maximum load for a circuit. And this is why the other type of an overload can happen, when appliances are pulling more than what an outlet is rated for.







While it can be hard to wrap your head around at first, understanding this concept is crucial to your home. Every circuit in your home has a set amount that it can handle safely. Overloading these circuits can lead to overheating, tripped breakers, broken appliances, or electrical fires.







Recognizing the Warning Signs

Being able to recognize the warning signs in your appliances all the potential overload not only keeps you safe but it keeps your appliances safe. Electrical problems can often start small but they will escalate and rapidly. 

Flickering and dimming lights are a sign to watch out for. This can indicate an overloaded circuit that's working to supply power. 

If your circuit breaker trips and then immediately trips again after you turn it back on this is another sign to watch out for. This means that it is detecting excessive current. 

The next step on the warning scale is if you have a smell of burning from your outlets or your appliances and you aren't cooking anything yet. This can mean that the wiring or the insulation are overheating. 


And then you need to keep an eye out , or maybe an ear out, for buzzing. Buzzing in either outlets or an appliance can and often does indicate that either wires are loose or that it is drawing too much power.

If your outlets start to become warm to the touch or worse discolored, this is not a sign this is a red flag. It is getting hot enough that you need to worry about a fire soon. 






If you notice any of these issues, take immediate action to prevent potential electrical damage or fire hazards.









Common Causes of Electrical Overloads

So we know what an overload is, and warning signs to look out for, the next step to keeping spark alive in your house is knowing the causes. What can you do today to keep that spark alive for years to come?



  1. Don't Put Too Many Devices on One Circuit

Plugging in power hungry appliances, like your refrigerator, space heaters, and dryers on the same circuit can easily overload that circuit. Kitchen circuits are especially prone to this problem. So make sure that you know which outlets are rated for what in your home. If you're buying new you should be able to ask, or you can ask an electrician to come out and give you a hand. 

2. Old or Outdated Wiring

Older homes, like those that were built in Grapevine and Bedford, don't always have wiring that was designed for modern electrical loads. Unless the house was gutted and rewired, many of these homes are built to older codes, and can struggle with the number of electronics we use today. This can cause the wiring to overheat and fail which increases fire risks.






3. Faulty or Failing Appliances

If you have an appliance that you haven't gotten to take care of yet, or haven't noticed that there was a problem, it may draw excessive power. If it's damaged or defective it can easily draw so much that it causes circuit breakers to trip.

4. Extension Cord Overuse

Say it with us. Extension cords are like Band-Aids. They're a temporary fix not a permanent one. Using extension cords long-term or worse Daisy-chaining them together, creates dangerous situations. We love having flowers around the house but Daisy chains are not one of them.  

And in the event that you haven't heard of the term daisy chain, that is when you plug one extension cord into another extension cord and hope that everything turns out fine. It doesn't. Especially if you have a power hungry set of computers plugged in. That's a recipe for fire. 

5. Loose or Corroded Wiring 

Poor electrical connection, such as between a plug and an outlet that has corrosion, can increase the resistance within the circuit. This can cause overheating and circuit failure as the appliance tries to draw power and gas to work harder to get it. 






Electrical wire of different gauges  on spools

Courtesy of Shelton Keys Dunning

6. Multiple High-Wattage Devices Running Simultaneously 

Even if they're on completely separate outlets, they might not be on separate circuits. So having multiple large appliances running at the same time can push the limits of an older electrical system. An example of this is having to make sure you run only your microwave or your toaster oven and not both at the same time because it'll flip the breaker. This is an example of multiple things on one circuit, but plugged into separate outlets.

How to Prevent Electrical Overloads


Fortunately there are steps that you can take to protect your home under appliances. 




  • Distribute your high wattage appliances across separate circuits. 

Don't plug them all into the same circuit and definitely not into the same outlet. The sole exception to this if your house was intentionally wired for it, would be the washer and dryer. And those are usually on a separate circuit of their own with a dedicated outlet. 

  • Use power strips with surge protectors 

         A power strip is not the same thing as an extension cord. Yes it does act to let you plug multiple things into an outlet, but it also has a mini breaker of its own so that if it gets overheated it will shut off.

  • Smart outlets are your friends 

Appliances and other electronics still draw power even when turned off. Previously it was necessary to just completely unplug them. Now with the Advent of smart plugs, you can shut them off either on a timer or from your phone much easier and it makes your electric bill easier to handle as well. 

  •  Upgrade outdated wiring 

If you know that you're home is an older home, 50 years or more, it would not hurt to have an electrician out to inspect the wiring system. They may advise you to upgrade, they might not. As we are not electricians, this is important but outside of our ballpark. 







Electrical Hazards & Consequences

Ignoring electrical issues isn't any good for you or your appliances. Just like a relationship ignoring the problem will not make it go away, it just grows teeth and gets bigger. 

Ignoring electrical issues can lead to serious dangers, including:

Electrical sparking

Courtesy of Ulrike Mai

  • Electrical Fires – Overheating wires can ignite surrounding materials, leading to devastating house fires.

  • Damaged Appliances – Power surges and overloads can shorten the lifespan of expensive appliances.

  • Electric Shocks – Faulty wiring or overloaded outlets can increase the risk of shocks, which can cause severe injuries.

  • Burns, muscular spasms, heart collapse, and other potentially fatal consequences can ensue from receiving an electric shock. Overloading circuits, needing more insulation, and not getting expert advice from electricians are all things that can increase the danger of electric hazards.

  • Arcing & Short Circuits – Overloaded circuits or damaged wiring can cause electrical arcing, which produces extreme heat and sparks, increasing fire risks.

  • Structural Damage – Persistent overheating can degrade wiring insulation and even damage walls or electrical panels over time.

  • Increased Energy Costs – Overloaded circuits force appliances to work harder, leading to inefficiency and higher electricity bills. 

  • Frequent Power Outages – An overloaded electrical system may cause regular outages or failures.



When to Call a Professional


If you experience any of the following appliance-related electrical issues, Appliance Rescue Service is here to help: 

  • An Appliance Is Tripping the Circuit Breaker Repeatedly – If resetting the breaker doesn’t solve the issue, the appliance may have an internal fault.

  • An Appliance Overheats or Emits a Burning Smell – This could indicate wiring issues or motor failure inside the unit.

  • A Major Appliance Suddenly Stops Working – Especially if there was no power surge or visible damage, it may need professional repair.

  • A Faulty Appliance Shows Signs of Electrical Issues – Buzzing sounds, inconsistent performance, or visible sparks mean it needs servicing.

  • A Fridge, Washer, or Dryer Loses Power Unexpectedly – If the issue isn't with the circuit itself, the appliance may have an electrical fault.

Don’t wait for sparks to fly—take action today to keep your home safe and your appliances running smoothly. If you notice persistent electrical problems—such as frequent breaker trips, buzzing outlets, or burning smells—it’s best to consult a licensed electrician. Regular inspections can prevent small problems from turning into major, costly repairs.  



Additional Reading
Common Appliance Issues That Could Ruin Your Holiday – And How to Prevent Them

The Risks of DIY Appliance Repairs and How to Avoid Them


Unlocking Your Dishwasher: A Troubleshooting Guide