Whirlpool has called a red alert to the users of its KitchenAid® coffee makers in Canada. A press release from the company says the coffee makers “contain an internal electrical component that can overheat and ignite, posing a fire hazard to consumers”.

Whirpool recalls 529,000 coffee makers that have been sold between 2001 and 2005.

Whirlpool Corporation has already been reported 13 incidents involving the KitchenAid® ten- and 12-cup coffee makers that overheated, resulting in minor property damage. So far, there were no injuries reported, but the company decided to proceed to a voluntary recall.

Consumers who are not sure whether the coffee makers they own are safe or not, are advised to check the labels with the serial numbers on the back of the machines.

The recalled machines wear the following serial numbers:

These numbers begin with one of the series WCJ, WCK, WCL, WCM, WCP.

The press release from Whirlpool Corp. also advises consumers that still own the above mentioned equipments to stop using them immediately, “unless otherwise instructed”.

The equipments should not be returned to the retail points where they were purchased. Instead, the owners should call Whirlpool Canada at (800)567-6966 between 7:30 am and 8:00 pm E.T. Monday through Friday, or go to www.whirlpoolcorp.com to learn how they can exchange their product to one of comparable value. The affected units were sold at prices from $119.99 to $179.99