Over 1M Bissell steamers recalled after 150+ injuries reported

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with the Bissell Inc. household appliance company, has announced a major recall of over one million steam cleaners. The recall, issued on January 15, 2025, affects specific models of Bissell SteamShot and Little Green portable steam cleaners sold nationwide and online from August 2021 through October 2024. This urgent action was taken due to a significant safety hazard, as the recalled units can expel hot water or steam during use, posing a serious burn risk to consumers. The CPSC has received more than 150 reports of injuries, including first- and second-degree burns, linked to the malfunctioning products. The recall specifically targets approximately 1.03 million units of the Bissell SteamShot Handheld Steam Cleaner (models 39G5, 39G5A, 39G5B, 39G5C) and about 187,000 units of the Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner (model 1425F). These products were sold at major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon, as well as directly through Bissell's own website. Consumers are instructed to immediately cease using the recalled steamers and to contact Bissell for a free repair kit. The company will provide a redesigned nozzle cap and instructions to mitigate the risk of hot liquid ejection. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about product safety oversight and corporate responsibility in the consumer goods sector. The high volume of reported injuries prior to the recall raises questions about the timeliness of the manufacturer's response and the effectiveness of pre-market safety testing. For affected consumers, the remedy involves a straightforward modification, but the recall underscores the critical importance of heeding safety warnings and registering products with manufacturers to receive direct notifications about such defects.