Like many people in California and across the country this holiday season, you received an Instant Pot. Now, you have heard stories about this popular product overheating and presenting a fire danger. You can rest assured that your Instant Pot cooker is most likely not a danger to your home and family, but the incident may serve as a reminder of how important it is to keep up on the latest recalls or reports of products causing accidents or injuries.
The Instant Pot incident in question did not involve the cooker you received for Christmas, but instead concerned certain batches of the company’s Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker. In addition to slow-cooking, steaming, roasting and baking foods, some consumers reported their cookers overheated and melted parts of the appliance. There were no reports of injuries or property damage, but the company is offering replacements to those who own the affected cookers.
You own electrical appliances, such as your cooker, microwave and space heater, that may contain unknown defects and cause injury if they malfunction. You might avoid this situation by observing the following precautions:
- Always read the instructions and operate your appliances in the recommended, safe manner.
- If you notice your product has a defect or is damaged, stop using it and contact the manufacturer or store where you purchased it to find out if you may return or replace it.
- Do not allow young children to use a potentially dangerous appliance.
- Occasionally check the internet or Consumer Reports’ website for information on accidents, injuries or recalls involving your product.
By being aware that many household appliances can be dangerous if they are damaged or not used in the proper manner, you may reduce your chances of suffering an injury. However, it is not always possible to foresee a product having a defect or malfunction that results in a dangerous situation. You may be entitled to compensation by the manufacturer of a faulty appliance.