January 29, 2026 – A consumer experienced multiple incidents of accidental burner activation on their LG electric range, model LDE44135T/02, ultimately leading to a laptop catching fire and the consumer sustaining minor burns. The incident highlights potential safety risks associated with sensitive control knobs on certain electric range models, prompting a voluntary instruction and warning program from LG in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Product Details
Incident Overview
The consumer reported that shortly after purchasing the LG electric range, they began to experience unintentional burner activation simply by leaning over the appliance. This issue reportedly occurred multiple times.
A more serious incident took place on March 12, 2024. The consumer had left a laptop on a nearby counter, a few inches from the front right burner of the range. Upon returning, they discovered the laptop had caught fire. The consumer was able to extinguish the fire themselves but sustained a few minor burns, which they treated at home. The laptop, valued between $250 and $500, was destroyed and required replacement.
The consumer also stated that despite warning a guest of the danger, the guest also accidentally turned on a burner. This indicates the issue is not isolated to a single user’s interaction. The consumer noted that the problem specifically pertains to the physical range top knobs, as the oven’s controls are digital and located on the back of the range, away from potential accidental contact.
The consumer initially reported the matter to LG, who advised them to utilize the “Child-Proof” locking feature to address the issue. This advice aligns with a recall notice resolution that involved providing consumers with a sticker reminder about the control lock function.
Safety Concerns
The incidents involving the LG LDE44135T/02 electric range raise significant safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is the risk of burns from unintentionally activated hot burners. As demonstrated by the incident, this can lead to personal injury requiring immediate first aid.
- Fire Hazard: Accidental burner activation poses a serious fire hazard. Flammable items, such as dish towels, papers, plastic utensils, or even electronic devices like the consumer’s laptop, can easily ignite if placed too close to an active burner, leading to property damage and potentially escalating into a house fire.
- Property Damage Potential: Beyond personal injury, the potential for significant property damage is high. A kitchen fire can quickly spread, causing extensive damage to the appliance itself, countertops, cabinets, and the entire home structure. The consumer in this report lost a laptop valued at up to $500.
- Accessibility and Unintentional Activation: The design of the range top knobs, particularly their sensitivity or placement, appears to make them prone to accidental activation by casual contact, even from leaning over the appliance. This design flaw affects all users, including adults and potentially unsupervised children or guests, despite the availability of a “child-proof” feature that may not always be engaged.
- Effectiveness of Solutions: While a “Child-Proof” locking feature is available, the incident highlights that users may not always engage it, or may forget to, leaving a window for accidents. A sticker reminder, while helpful, relies on constant user vigilance rather than addressing the root cause of the easily activated knobs.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own an LG electric range, particularly model LDE44135T/02 or other models covered by the recent recall, please take the following actions:
1. Check Your Model: Verify if your electric range is an LG LDE44135T/02 or any other model included in the CPSC recall. You can find your model number typically on the frame inside the oven door or on the back of the appliance.
2. Use the Control Lock Feature Consistently: LG has identified the control lock feature as a primary mitigation. Ensure you consistently engage the “Lock Out” or “Control Lock” function on your range whenever it is not in use, especially after cooking and before leaving the kitchen or home.
3. Keep Flammable Items Away: Always keep flammable materials (e.g., dish towels, plastic utensils, paper products, electronics) a safe distance from the stovetop, particularly when the range is not in active use, as accidental activation can occur without warning.
4. Order a Free Warning Label: If your model is part of the recall, contact LG to request a free warning label that serves as a visual reminder to use the control lock function.
5. Report Incidents: If you have experienced similar incidents of accidental burner activation, burns, or property damage related to your LG electric range, report it immediately to both LG Electronics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. Your report helps identify safety trends and can prevent further incidents.
Manufacturer’s Response
LG Electronics, USA has acknowledged the issue and, as of January 12, 2026, announced a voluntary instruction and warning program for this product in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
LG advises consumers to review the recall notice available at: [https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/LG-Recalls-Electric-Ranges-Due-to-Fire-Hazard](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/LG-Recalls-Electric-Ranges-Due-to-Fire-Hazard)
Consumers affected by the recall are encouraged to contact LG to receive a free warning label. This label serves as a reminder about the importance of using the Lock Out/Control Lock function to prevent accidental activation of the range. This measure is intended to address concerns regarding the physical range top knobs, as the oven’s digital controls on the back of the range are not implicated in this specific hazard.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.