The Justice Department joined the Consumer Product Safety Commission in filing a legal complaint against two Chinese manufacturers for selling dangerous immersion water heaters.
The legal action targets Cixi Miaojie Electrical Appliance Co. Ltd. and Changsha Jiayi Tianzhuo Trading Co. Ltd. for producing items deemed imminently hazardous to American families.
Officials are seeking a mandatory recall of the products sold under the brand name Lakkzoom.
The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleges these heaters can overheat and catch fire in minutes if they are not fully submerged.
Federal investigators received at least 235 reports related to fires caused by the devices before taking this rare legal step.
Testing conducted by the commission confirmed the heaters pose a severe risk of injury or death to unsuspecting users.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the importance of preventing dangerous goods from reaching the public.
Describing the threat posed by the imports, Blanche stated, “The Department of Justice 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”.
Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Civil Division also noted the commitment to holding international manufacturers accountable for safety violations.
This lawsuit marks the first time since 1987 that the safety commission has utilized its Section 12 imminent hazard authority.
CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman praised the collaboration between agencies to remove these items from the marketplace.
Highlighting the gravity of the enforcement action, Feldman said, “Today’s action is the Commission’s first use of its Section 12 imminent hazard authority since 1987, underscoring our commitment to making full use of the tools Congress provided to protect consumers”.
The Consumer Product Safety Act permits such lawsuits when products present an unreasonable risk of death or severe personal injury.
Beyond consumer safety litigation, the department is also focusing on strengthening local law enforcement through new financial resources.
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services announced the release of $25 million in new grant opportunities for agencies nationwide.
These funds follow nearly $700 million in grant notices released just last month to support police departments.
The new programs focus on enhancing crisis response training and supporting professional accreditation for officers.
Approximately $13 million is designated for de-escalation training to help officers handle high-pressure situations safely.
Another $6 million is aimed at developing products and resources that help fight crime and improve the public image of policing.
Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. described the funding as a way to provide essential tools to those on the front lines.
Reflecting on the impact of the investment, Woodward said, “The Department of Justice is investing in strategies that reduce crime, hold offenders accountable, and give law enforcement the tools they need to do their jobs”.
The grants also address high-priority areas such as human trafficking, cybercrime, and domestic terrorism.
Officials stated that these efforts are part of the broader mission to make American communities safer through partnership and innovation.