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No spin zone: Samsung recalls 3M EXPLODING washing machines

Maybe it would be easier to just give us a list of what won't blow up?

Samsung says it will recall millions of washing machines that are prone to blowing up.

The South Korean electronics giant says that 34 models of top-loading machines are covered by the massive US-wide recall, which was sparked by hundreds of reports of units violently tearing themselves apart mid-cycle.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 733 reports have been received of the Sammy washers spontaneously disassembling, and at least nine of the incidents resulted in serious injuries such as broken jaws, shoulder damage, and "other impact or fall-related injuries."

In other words: these things don't just fall apart, they blow up.

Samsung has been receiving these reports for months, but had not issued any sort of formal recall.

Owners of the self-destructing appliances have two options to remedy the situation:

  1. Samsung is offering a free in-home repair to reinforce (read: bomb-proof) the doors on the affected washers.
  2. Owners can receive a rebate from Samsung that may be applied to the cost of a replacement washer (either from Samsung or someone else). Delivery and installation costs will be covered by Samsung.

Those who have purchased one of the recalled washing machines in the last 30 days can return the unit for a full refund.

Barring those options, Samsung says it will send all washing machine owners a care package that includes a revised instruction manual, a new "control panel guide" and two "warning labels" to affix to the washers so that anyone using it will be cognizant of the danger.

"Until they have received and installed a Home Label Kit, consumers should only use the delicate or waterproof cycles when washing bedding, water-resistant and bulky items," the US Consumer Product Safety Commission warns.

"The lower spin speed in the delicate or waterproof cycles lessens the risk of the washing machine top unexpectedly detaching from the washing machine chassis."

For those keeping score, this is the second time this year Samsung has had to call back an entire product line. The 2.5m Galaxy Note 7 phablets that were recalled ended up costing the company around $2.3bn, and led to a sales drop of 17 per cent for Samsung's mobile unit last quarter. ®

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