"Vanguard" and "FMI" Compact Fireplaces
CPSC Recall #05-238 — August 1, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-238 |
| Recall Date | August 1, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | 534 |
| Manufacturer | DESA Heating Products, of Bowling Green, Ky. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Hearth shops |
| central heat and air conditioning retailers and gas suppliers nationwide from April 2004 through June 2005 for between $639 and $912. |
Product
"Vanguard" and "FMI" Compact Fireplaces
Description
The recall includes DESA Heating Products 10,000 Btu Thermostatically Controlled Compact Classic Hearth Fireplaces that burn propane or natural gas. They have the following model names and number: Vanguard (VMH10TPC & VMH10TNC) and FMI (EFS10TPA & EFS10TNA). They have serial numbers between 015200000 and 017400000. The model and serial numbers are on the end of the shipping carton and on the model, data tags inside the lower access door of the compact fireplaces.
Hazard
The burner tube connection to the gas valve can leak gas when the main burner is on. This leaking gas can ignite, causing a minor flare-up, which could cause nearby combustibles to ignite.
Incidents & Injuries
DESA has received one report of a minor flare-up of the fireplace. DESA has received no reports of personal injury or property damage.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using this fireplace immediately and contact your retailer to schedule a free repair. If consumers have any questions concerning this recall, they should contact their local retailer or DESA.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair 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 (Repair) 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.