近3000元的净水器用4个半月就“爆炸”？责任谁担→

Core Viewpoint - A consumer in Mianyang, Sichuan, reported an incident involving a Panda PANDA brand water purifier that allegedly "exploded" after only four and a half months of use, leading to a demand for a full refund and compensation for property damage, which the manufacturer denied, claiming no quality issues with the product [1][10]. Group 1: Incident Details - The water purifier was purchased for 2980 yuan during a promotional event on August 14, 2025, and was used starting in late August [2]. - The incident occurred on January 1, 2026, when the consumer received a call from his in-laws stating that the water purifier had exploded, causing significant damage to the surrounding area [2][4]. - The consumer's in-laws managed to extinguish the fire, but the water purifier was severely damaged, leading to electrical issues in the home [4]. Group 2: Manufacturer's Response - The manufacturer's representative claimed that the water purifier was a "thermal model" that would not self-ignite unless the heating system was not turned off, attributing the incident to user error rather than a product defect [6][8]. - The manufacturer offered to replace the damaged unit with a more expensive "instant heating" model, which the consumer declined due to safety concerns [8][10]. - The manufacturer insisted that any claims regarding product defects should be substantiated by a third-party inspection report [10]. Group 3: Expert Analysis - An industry expert suggested that the water purifier's heating system should have a built-in safety mechanism to prevent overheating, and the likelihood of a self-ignition incident is low if the device is functioning correctly [11]. - The expert noted that potential causes for the incident could include a malfunctioning temperature control sensor or external factors such as voltage issues, although the latter is considered a rare occurrence [12]. Group 4: Legal Considerations - Legal analysis indicated that determining liability in such incidents requires proving product defects, damage caused, and a causal relationship between the two [14]. - If the water purifier is found to have defects, the manufacturer could be liable for a full refund and compensation for property damage, as per consumer protection laws [15].