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Coffee Maker Recalled After 10-Year-Old Badly Burned

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (WCCO) -- More than a million single cup coffee makers are being recalled because they can explode and can spray hot water onto whoever is standing in front of it.

That's what happened to 10-year-old Halee Miller of Albert Lea, who suffered second-degree burns to her face and neck and had to be hospitalized.

The coffee maker had been on her mom, Susie Miller's, wish list.

"I got a new coffee maker for Christmas from my husband," said Susie Miller.

A year later, her Tassimo Brewer is on the Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall list.

"It kind of made a weird noise and exploded and when it exploded she was in the line of fire," said Susie Miller about her daughter.

Second degree burns then covered Halee's face and neck. She was taken to Albert Lea Hospital and immediately transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center's Burn Unit.

Halee received skin grafting and other procedures before she was able to go home. She had to miss a few weeks of school, but has now made a complete recovery. The accident doesn't come without some life-long consequences: She will need to stay out of the sun or be sure to use sunscreen.

Halee's mom said she believes her daughter's burns were so bad because at 10 years old, her face was just above counter level and in the line of fire.

"When it exploded it was hot coffee and steam," said Susie Miller. "She had coffee grounds in her teeth."

There have been 140 reports of hot liquid being sprayed onto customers, including 37 reports of second-degree burns.

"It made me sick to my stomach, it's my little girl and I just felt helpless there was nothing I could do to stop the pain or make her feel better," said Susie Miller.

If you have one of the recalled machines, you should immediately stop using it and contact the company to order a free replacement T Disc holder for the brewing mechanism. Several "Tassimo espresso" T Discs made by Kraft are also being recalled. They can get clogged and spray hot liquid and coffee grounds onto people.

This recall involves Maxwell House, Gevalia, and Nabob brand espresso T Discs.

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