Sanyo uses social media to alert people to dangerous microwave

April 11th, 2012

Sanyo has created a Facebook page to publicise the recall of a microwave that may cause ‘severe electric shocks’.

The page was created in March and it announces that Sanyo is now undertaking a full product recall of the EMC8787B convection grill microwave ovens.

A recall notice was first issued in January, and the continued alerts may indicate that there are still enough faulty microwaves at large in the Australian community.

The dedicated recall page has attracted over 400 ‘Likes’ and it encourages consumers to call 1800-06-3747 if they have one of the affected microwaves.

The original recall was advertised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in partnership with Sanyo on 24 January. It warns that:

“A user of this product may receive a severe electric shock when operating the small buttons located on the microwave control panel whilst another part of their body is in contact with an earth (such as a kitchen sink).” This is due to some of the printed circuit boards within the internal control panel having electrical contact with the small buttons on the external control panel.”

The Facebook page was created in March and while it is listed as Sanyo Oceania, only information pertaining to the microwave recall has been posted.

Sanyo has used the social media site to engage with consumers, offering advice and suggestions.

It has urged consumers to stop using the microwave immediately, unplug it and contact the customer centre.

The product may also be returned to Target for a full refund, according to the Facebook page.

The model number EM-C8787B is located on the back of the cabinet. The microwave was sold nationally in Target stores from July 2010 through until mid January 2012. Over 8,000 have been recalled.

Keri Algar

Having once had to sit on the washing machine to stop it from bouncing into oblivion, Keri is today delighted with the new (smoother running) technologies that make housework easier every day. A self-confessed lazy-bones, Keri seeks out quirky inventions that ease the human workload, such as the robotic vacuum cleaner (wow). And as soon as someone figures out a Jetsons-like self-cleaning house, she will happily lay her pen to rest and retire from appliance journalism. Until then, her pick is a fridge that will tell her smartphone when it's time to pick up more beer on the way home. Magic.