Electric in-wall heaters
CPSC Recall #98-017 - October 22, 1997
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 98-017 |
| Recall Date | October 22, 1997 |
| Remedy Type | - |
| Units Affected | About 190,000 |
Where It Was Sold
| These heaters have been installed in homes from 1985 through 1992 in Oregon |
| Washington |
| California |
| Idaho |
| Montana and Wyoming. Fewer than one percent were distributed nationwide under the name Encore through the following retailers: Menards |
| Home Base |
| Builders Square |
| Ace Hardware and Fred Meyer for about $100 to $200. |
Product
Electric in-wall heaters
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Cadet Manufacturing Company of Vancouver, Wash., is recalling about 190,000 electric in-wall heaters. Limit switches within these heaters can emit sparks, presenting a fire hazard.Cadet Manufacturing has received 44 reports of fires involving these heaters. Most of these reports resulted in fires that self-extinguished. However, Cadet has received two reports of fires causing considerable property damage. No injuries have been reported from these fires. CPSC has received a 45th report of two deaths from a fire involving a Cadet heater where a sofa was nearby. The cause of the ignition of the sofa remains under investigation.The heaters involved in this recall may have the Cadet or Encore brand name on the heater's grill. The heaters involved in this recall must have the following: 1) a model number beginning with FX, FW, LX or ZA followed by three numbers on a label on the front of the internal heater assembly; 2) a limit switch made of black plastic casings on the heater assembly. These casings look like small black discs and have wires attached. Only heaters with black plastic limit switches are included in the recall. Some models will have a single limit switch, and others will have two limit switches. Before checking the markings on the heater assembly, consumers will need to remove the heater's grill and the screw at the top of the heater assembly. Before doing this, consumers must disconnect the power supply to the heater or fuse box. These heaters have been installed in homes from 1985 through 1992 in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Fewer than one percent were distributed nationwide under the name Encore through the following retailers: Menards, Home Base, Builders Square, Ace Hardware and Fred Meyer for about $100 to $200.Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and call Cadet at (800) 567-2613 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT.Heaters with white ceramic switch casings are not included in this recall.
Hazard
Limit switches within these heaters can emit sparks, presenting a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Cadet Manufacturing has received 44 reports of fires involving these heaters. Most of these reports resulted in fires that self-extinguished. However, Cadet has received two reports of fires causing considerable property damage. No injuries have been reported from these fires. CPSC has received a 45th report of two deaths from a fire involving a Cadet heater where a sofa was nearby. The cause of the ignition of the sofa remains under investigation.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and call Cadet at (800) 567-2613 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a remedy 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 (refund, replacement, or 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.