Patton Model HF-10 and Sears Model 201-7208 portable electric space heaters

CPSC Recall #84-025 - April 17, 1984

Recall Summary

Recall Number84-025
Recall DateApril 17, 1984
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedApproximately 102,000
Manufactured InHong Kong

Where It Was Sold

The heaters were sold nationwide between August 1983 and March 1984 in large chain stores including Sears
Roebuck & Co.
as well as in small retail outlets. The units sold for under $30.00.

Product

Patton Model HF-10 and Sears Model 201-7208 portable electric space heaters

Description

Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Patton Electric Company, New Haven, Indiana, today announced the voluntary recall because of a possible fire hazard of approximately 102,000 "Patton" and "Sears" brand portable electric space heaters made in Hong Kong. The CPSC has under investigation six incidents of fire, including one involving the death of an 18 month old baby, in houses where these heaters were being used.The electric heaters being recalled are small portable plastic models and have a "slide-type" control switch on the top. Consumers may identify the recalled units by looking at the bottom label of their heater for either Patton Model HF-10 or Sears Model 201-7208 and the words "Made in Hong Kong". Only the "Patton Heater Plus Fan", model HF-10 and the "Sears Heater Plus Fan", model 201-7208 are involved in the recall.Consumers owning these heaters are urged to stop using them and to unplug them from electrical outlets. Owners should call Patton at 1-800-528-6600, Ext. 1722 (Arizona: 1-800-352-0458, Ext. 1722; Alaska: 1-800-528-0470, Ext. 1722) to verify that their heater is one of the recalled models and to obtain instructions for returning the heater to Patton for replacement at no cost.The heaters were sold nationwide between August 1983 and March 1984 in large chain stores including Sears, Roebuck & Co., as well as in small retail outlets. The units sold for under $30.00.Patton halted distribution of the heaters after reports from consumers indicated a possible fire hazard. Patton has notified all the retail outlets which sold the heaters to remove them from sale. Consumers who returned warranty cards on the suspect heaters will be notified of the recall directly by Patton.The company believes the potential fire hazard is related to the sliding type switch assembly and not to the heater itself. This switch, which utilizes a diode, was installed only in the heater models being recalled. All other Patton models are manufactured by Patton in the U.S. and have proven rotary dial temperature controls.Under the recall program, Patton Electric will modify and upgrade all suspect model heaters with a new rotary dial switch. This type of construction has been safely used for more than three years in other Patton heaters. The upgrading as well as all transportation charges will be at no cost to the consumer.Information concerning this recall is also available to consumers by calling CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-CPSC. The teletypewriter number for the hearing impaired is (800) 638-8270.

Hazard

Patton Electric Company announced the voluntary recall of approximately 102,000 "Patton" and "Sears" brand portable electric space heaters made in Hong Kong. The company believes the potential fire hazard is related to the sliding type switch assembly and not to the heater itself. This switch, which utilizes a diode, was installed only in the heater models being recalled.

Incidents & Injuries

The CPSC has under investigation six incidents of fire, including one involving the death of an 18 month old baby, in houses where these heaters were being used.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers owning these heaters are urged to stop using them and to unplug them from electrical outlets. Owners should call Patton to verify that their heater is one of the recalled models and to obtain instructions for returning the heater to Patton for replacement at no cost.Under the recall program, Patton Electric will modify and upgrade all suspect model heaters with a new rotary dial switch. This type of construction has been safely used for more than three years in other Patton heaters. The upgrading as well as all transportation charges will be at no cost to the consumer.

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.