Fire and scalding hazards prompt recalls of various coffeemakers.(Recalls & Safety Alerts )(Bunn-O-Matic Corp., KitchenAid, West Bend Co.)

Bunn-O-Matic, KitchenAid, and West Bend have issued alerts involving some 2.3 million automatic-drip coffeemakers for hazards including overheating, fire, and broken carafe handles that could lead to shattered glass and skin burns from scalding liquid.

The most sweeping recall involves 1.75 million Bunn 10-cup coffeemakers, models GR-10B, GR- 10W, B-10B, B-10W, and BT-10B, whose plastic components could melt or ignite as a result of an electrical problem. Seventeen consumers reported that plastic parts melted. The models were sold from February 2001 to August 2004 at department and hardware stores for around $100. The suspect units have a date code ending in "01," "02," "03," or "04." Model and date-code information appear on the bottom of the unit.

What to do: Unplug the appliance and call Bunn at 800-385-2652 or go to www.regcen.com/bunnrecall to see whether your unit is involved. If so, Bunn-O-Matic will provide free repairs or a discount toward a new coffeemaker.

Also recalled are 529,000 KitchenAid 10- and 12-cup coffeemakers, which could overheat and catch fire. To date, 13 consumers have reported minor property damage as a result of over-heating. Included are 10-cup models KCM120OB, KCM300OB, KCM120WH, and KCM300WH; and 12-cup models KCM2000B, KCM400OB, KCM200WH, ...