DOJ sues 2 Chinese companies over immersion water heaters that can catch on fire
The Justice Department is trying to force the two Chinese companies to recall immersion water heaters used for bathtubs and pools.
Updated on: July 22, 2026 / 1:10 PM EDT / CBS News
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that the two companies, Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co., made and sold immersion water heaters to consumers under the brand "Lakkzoom." The lawsuit said the heaters could burst into flames if they are either completely or partially out of water.
The heaters, according to the lawsuit, lack safety features to prevent the risk of overheating and fire, unlike other similarly priced immersion heaters on the market that automatically shut off if the heating element is not "in contact with water or reaches a dangerous temperature."
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said 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."
Lawyers for Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.