Space Heaters
CPSC Recall #87-010 - February 18, 1987
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 87-010 |
| Recall Date | February 18, 1987 |
| Remedy Type | New Instructions |
Product
Space Heaters
Description
WASHINGTON, DC -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Patton Electric Company, New Haven, Indiana is conducting a voluntary corrective action program for certain Patton model HF-6 and HF-12W and Sears, Roebuck and Co. model 201.362010 portable plastic-body electric space heaters. Patton is undertaking this action to correct manufacturing deficiencies in the heaters which may result in the heaters catching fire. The units subject to this corrective action program were manufactured in 1984 and bear the date codes 8407 to 8412. The model number and date code can be found on the label located on the base of the unit. The CPSC is aware of at least three instances where units exhibited flaming or melting resulting from the defect in these heaters. No personal injuries have been reported. The heaters sold for between $20 and $40. The Patton units have a black grill and either a white or a wood grain plastic body. The Sears units have a black grill and a brown plastic body. These heaters were distributed since 1984. If you have one of these heaters, you should immediately discontinue use of the heater and contact Patton Electric Company at 219 749 2775, for instructions concerning correction of your heator Consumers should not attempt repairs or modifications themselves.
Hazard
Patton is undertaking this action to correct manufacturing deficiencies in the heaters which may result in the heaters catching fire.
Incidents & Injuries
The CPSC is aware of at least three instances where units exhibited flaming or melting resulting from the defect in these heaters. No personal injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
If you have one of these heaters, you should immediately discontinue use of the heater and contact Patton Electric Company at 219 749 2775, for instructions concerning correction of your heater Consumers should not attempt repairs or modifications themselves.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a New Instructions 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 (New Instructions) 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.