Heat Guns
CPSC Recall #09-243 — June 16, 2009
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 09-243 |
| Recall Date | June 16, 2009 |
| Remedy Type | Replace |
| Units Affected | About 300,000 |
| Manufacturer | Wagner Spray Tech Corp., of Minneapolis, Minn. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Major and independent hardware and home improvement stores nationwide from November 2004 through April 2009 for about $40. |
Product
Heat Guns
Description
The recalled heat guns emit hot air and are used for paint and flooring removal, defrosting freezers and water lines, bending plastic, hobbies, etc. Recalled models include the Milwaukee Heat Gun MHT3300, ACE HT3500 Heat Gun, and the Wagner Heat Gun HT3500 with date codes V300R through Z365R and A001R through A111R. The heat gun's name and model number are located on a black label on the bottom of the heat gun's barrel. The date code is stamped into the bottom of the handle near the power cord. The heat guns are black or yellow plastic and measure about 10 inches long, 8 inches high and 3 inches wide.
Hazard
An electrical component failure inside the heat guns can cause them to continue to produce heat after the power switch is turned off. This can melt the heat gun's plastic exterior, causing a burn if the heat gun is touched and ignite nearby combustibles, posing fire and burn hazards.
Incidents & Injuries
The firm has received nine reports of the heat guns overheating. No injuries or property damage have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heat guns and contact Wagner for a free replacement product.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.
If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident — they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.
If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.