About 64,000 portable generators have been recalled because of serious fire and burn hazards, according to federal regulators.
Generac Power Systems, a manufacturer of backup power-generating products based in Wisconsin, recalled two of its generators after reports that its fuel tanks sometimes failed to vent properly. The failure caused its gas tanks to build up excess pressure and expel fuel when opened, posing risks of fire and burns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday.
Generac said it had received reports of 27 incidents in which its GP15000E and GP17500E generators overheated and expelled fuel when opened. Three of those incidents resulted in severe burn injuries.
“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled generators and contact Generac for a free repair kit,” the company wrote in a statement posted to its website. Consumers can order the kit with instructions on how to install a new rollover valve online. Those who order one should expect it to arrive in six to eight weeks, the company said.
It is unclear whether the recall is voluntary. Generac could not be immediately reached for comment on Saturday.
The recalled generators were sold at major home improvement and hardware stores nationwide as well as on various websites from April 2011 through June 2023. The model numbers for both types of recalled generators can be found on Generac’s website.
Consumers can find their generator’s unit type printed on both sides of its fuel tank and on its control panel, according to the company. The model number is printed on a label on the heat shield between the generator’s engine and alternator.
The recall comes amid a busy hurricane season, which runs from June through November. Generators are particularly useful during this time, as homes and businesses affected by storms are susceptible to losing power.
Even with a properly functioning generator, experts say consumers still need to take certain safety precautions, such as keeping it 20 feet away from a home and out of an enclosed space.
