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DOJ Takes Legal Action Against Chinese Water Heater Manufacturers
The Department of Justice has initiated legal proceedings against two Chinese companies in what represents a significant consumer protection effort. This lawsuit targets Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co., both of which manufactured and distributed immersion water heaters under the “Lakkzoom” brand name. The federal action seeks to compel these manufacturers to issue a mandatory recall of their products after serious safety concerns emerged regarding potential fire hazards.
According to court documents reviewed by CBS News, the Justice Department filed the complaint on Wednesday in federal court located in Washington, D.C. The central allegation centers on the heaters’ tendency to overheat and potentially burst into flames “within minutes” after being activated. These portable heating devices are designed for use in both bathtubs and swimming pools, making them popular among consumers seeking convenient hot water solutions. However, the lawsuit contends that the products pose substantial risks when not properly submerged.
Safety Deficiencies and Consumer Protection
The legal complaint highlights critical safety shortcomings in the Lakkzoom immersion water heaters. Unlike comparable products available at similar price points, these heaters lack automatic shut-off mechanisms that would activate when the heating element loses contact with water or encounters dangerously elevated temperatures. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the government’s commitment to consumer safety, stating that the department “will not allow dangerous products manufactured in China or elsewhere to flow to American consumers and expose unwitting families to the risk of serious injury or death.”
The Justice Department pursued this litigation in coordination with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, utilizing authority granted under the Consumer Product Safety Act. This legislation empowers federal regulators to bring civil actions against manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers when products present significant threats of injury or death to consumers. The collaborative approach demonstrates how multiple agencies can work together to address widespread product safety issues.
Investigation data compiled by the CPSC reveals alarming statistics regarding the Lakkzoom heaters. The agency received more than 235 separate fire-related reports connected to these products. Following thorough examination of these incidents, investigators determined that the heaters could ignite rapidly under specific conditions. The companies reportedly distributed over 98,000 units throughout the United States market, creating a substantial exposure risk for consumers.
Temporal analysis of the complaints shows accelerating problems. Since September 2024 alone, authorities documented over 137 fire-related incidents involving the water heaters. Customer testimonials included in the court filings paint a vivid picture of the dangers. One consumer reported that the device “caught on fire and almost burned my garage down,” while another stated, “This thing somehow caught my bathtub on fire!” Additional complaints described heaters that melted down, produced sparks, and ignited surrounding pools and bathtubs.
Legal representatives for both Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co. have not yet provided public comment regarding the allegations. The DOJ’s decision to pursue this case underscores the seriousness of the safety concerns and the government’s willingness to take decisive action when consumer welfare is at stake. The outcome of this litigation could set important precedents for how foreign manufacturers are held accountable for product defects affecting American households.
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