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Portable Electric Heaters

CPSC Recall #97-190 - September 16, 1997

Recall Summary

Recall Number97-190
Recall DateSeptember 16, 1997
Remedy TypeRefund, Replace, Repair
Units AffectedAbout 5,000
Manufactured InTaiwan

Where It Was Sold

Sam's Club stores nationwide sold the portable electric heaters from September 1993 through February 1994 for about $35.

Product

Portable Electric Heaters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), King of Fans of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is recalling about 5,000 portable electric heaters. The heater's cover can separate from the bottom housing and expose live electrical parts, presenting shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.King of Fans has received one report of the heater separating and exposing live electrical parts. No injuries have been reported.The portable electric heater, measuring 8 inches high and 6.5 inches wide, is made of black ceramic and comes with a 6 foot cord. "MAXI-HEAT" is written on the front of the heater next to power and safety indicator lights. The heater has top-mounted controls for temperature and speed and a pull-up handle. A silver label on the bottom of the heater reads in part, "ELECTRIC AIR HEATER, MODEL NO. H-415, MADE IN TAIWAN, UL LISTED." The heaters have serial numbers between 0026000 and 0031000, which also are located on the silver label.The heater is packaged in a cardboard box labeled in part, "MAXI-HEAT SUPREME...CERAMIC HEATER...WITH AUTOMATIC THERMOSTAT CONTROL...MODEL H415." There are pictures of the heater on all sides of the box.Sam's Club stores nationwide sold the portable electric heaters from September 1993 through February 1994 for about $35.Consumers should stop using the heaters immediately and return them to King of Fans, 1951 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 to have the heater repaired or replaced or to receive a refund. Consumers will be reimbursed for postage. Consumers should include a return address and specify whether they want the repair, replacement or refund. For more information, consumers should call King of Fans at (800) 749-3267 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday.

Hazard

The heater's cover can separate from the bottom housing and expose live electrical parts, presenting shock and electrocution hazards to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

King of Fans has received one report of the heater separating and exposing live electrical parts. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the heaters immediately and return them to King of Fans, 1951 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 to have the heater repaired or replaced or to receive a refund. Consumers will be reimbursed for postage. Consumers should include a return address and specify whether they want the repair, replacement or refund.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund, Replace, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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, Replace, Repair) at no cost to you.

No, you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.

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.

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