Aluminum Chimeneas

CPSC Recall #08-507 — October 16, 2007

Recall Summary

Recall Number08-507
Recall DateOctober 16, 2007
Remedy TypeRefund
Units AffectedAbout 247
ImporterPlow & Hearth, of Madison, VA
Manufactured InTurkey

Where It Was Sold

Plow & Hearth in its catalog and its website from March 2007 through August 2007 for about $250.

Product

Aluminum Chimeneas

Description

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Plow & Hearth, of Madison, VA, is voluntarily recalling about 247 Aluminum Chimeneas. A design flaw can cause the aluminum on the chimeneas to catch fire or melt under high temperatures, posing fire and burn hazards. Name of Product: Aluminum ChimeneasUnits: About 247Importer: Plow & Hearth, of Madison, VAHazard: A design flaw can cause the aluminum on the chimeneas to catch fire or melt under high temperatures, posing fire and burn hazards.Incidents/Injuries: Plow & Hearth has received two reports of the chimenea's aluminum exterior catching fire and burning. No injuries or property damage have been reported.Description: The chimeneas are outdoor fireplaces that are aluminum, have a removable spark guard, a wrought iron base, and a four-sided screen.Sold by: Plow & Hearth in its catalog and its website from March 2007 through August 2007 for about $250.Manufactured in: TurkeyRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the chimeneas and contact Plow & Hearth to receive a full refund and a gift certificate. Plow & Hearth is directly contacting consumers who purchased these chimeneas.Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Plow & Hearth toll-free at (877) 459-8131, or Linda DeRose-Droubay at (540) 948-7438 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.plowhearth.com.  

Hazard

A design flaw can cause the aluminum on the chimeneas to catch fire or melt under high temperatures, posing fire and burn hazards.

Incidents & Injuries

Plow & Hearth has received two reports of the chimenea's aluminum exterior catching fire and burning. No injuries or property damage have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should immediately stop using the chimeneas and contact Plow & Hearth to receive a full refund and a gift certificate. Plow & Hearth is directly contacting consumers who purchased these chimeneas.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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 (Refund) 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.