Bissell, a leading floor cleaning product company, has issued a recall for over 140,000 of its Multi Reach Hand and Floor Vacuum Cleaners due to a potential fire hazard. The recall was announced by the United States Product Safety Commission and on the company’s website, citing concerns over the vacuum’s battery pack overheating and smoking, posing a fire risk.

The announcement revealed that 142,000 units were recalled in the United States, with an additional 14,600 units sold in Canada. The decision to recall the products came after Bissell received 17 reports of the vacuum cleaners emitting smoke and a burning odor. Among these reports, six involved the battery pack catching fire, resulting in minor property damage and minor burn injuries in some cases.

In response to the recall, a Bissell spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to consumer safety and its cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Consumers have been urged to stop using the affected vacuum cleaners immediately and visit the Bissell website for information on impacted models and steps to receive a free replacement.

The affected products were sold at major retailers such as Lowe’s, Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy, as well as online on platforms including bissell.com, amazon.com, and hsn.com. The retailers have not yet provided comments on the recall.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled vacuum cleaners are advised to discontinue use and contact Bissell for instructions on depleting the battery charge and obtaining a free replacement vacuum. Additionally, proper disposal of the lithium batteries has been highlighted, emphasizing compliance with local and state laws and caution against depositing the recalled batteries in standard recycling boxes.