Garment steamers are incredibly useful devices that can help remove the most stubborn creases in clothes. But because they use hot steam to straighten cloth, they can be serious burn hazards if something goes wrong.
That appears to be the case behind the latest recall by Vornado. The household appliance manufacturer has issued a recall for about two million handheld garment steamers after receiving reports of serious burns.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there have been 122 reports of hot water spraying from the steam nozzle – 23 of which led to burn injuries. Stores such as Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond sold the steamers nationwide from July 2009 to January 2024. Vornado recommended that consumers stop using the affected steamers and contact the company for a free replacement or full refund.
The dangers of burn injuries from hot steam
Scald burns are a serious type of burn that can cause severe pain, disfigurement, and even death. They occur when hot liquids or steam come into contact with the skin, causing damage to the skin’s layers. Notably, hot water burns skin at temperatures lower than the boiling point. It only takes three seconds of exposure to 140 °F water to cause serious burn injuries that require surgery to treat.
In the case of defective garment steamers, the risk of scalding is particularly high due to the device’s proximity to the user’s body. If a steamer causes you burn injuries, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Healthcare providers can treat scald burns with antibiotics and other medical interventions, but prompt treatment is essential to prevent infection and reduce the risk of long-term scarring.
Can you file a lawsuit over a defective garment steamer?
If a defective garment steamer injured you, you might have grounds to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or retailer. Product liability law holds manufacturers and retailers responsible for the injuries caused by their defective products.
To prove a product liability claim, you must show that the product was defective, that the defect caused your injury, and that the defect was present when the product was sold. This can be a complex legal process, but a legal professional experienced in personal injury may be able to guide you through the process and represent you should the case go to court.