Electric heaters

CPSC Recall #02-133 — April 2, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-133
Recall DateApril 2, 2002
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units AffectedAbout 107,000

Where It Was Sold

Retailers nationwide
including Wal-Mart and Kmart
sold the heaters between October 2000 and February 2002 for about $30.

Product

Electric heaters

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill., voluntarily recalled about 107,000 electric heaters. The electrical connections inside of the heater can become loose, causing the heater's metal frame to become energized. This poses a serious electric shock hazard to consumers.CPSC and Lakewood have not received any reports of incidents. This recall was conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.The recalled electric heaters have model numbers 797 or 797 DFT, which is stamped on the back of the unit. The Model 797, which is painted white, and the Model 797 DFT, which is painted gray, have a control panel with temperature and wattage selections. The rounded, metal units also have the word, "/////Lakewood" printed on the control panel.Retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart and Kmart, sold the heaters between October 2000 and February 2002 for about $30.Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, disable and discard them. The firm is out of business and a remedy is no longer available.

Hazard

The electrical connections inside of the heater can become loose, causing the heater's metal frame to become energized. This poses a serious electric shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and Lakewood have not received any reports of incidents.

Remedy Instructions

The firm is no longer in business and the recall remedy is no longer available. Discard this product. Do not donate or resell.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Dispose, No Remedy Available 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 (Dispose, No Remedy Available) 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.