HEAT-N-GLO® Gem 36 and Gem 42 gas fireplaces
CPSC Recall #05-162 — April 26, 2005
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 05-162 |
| Recall Date | April 26, 2005 |
| Remedy Type | Repair |
| Units Affected | About 7,800 |
| Manufacturer | Heat & Glo, of Lakeville, Minn. |
Where It Was Sold
| Dealers and distributors of Hearth products nationwide sold the fireplace from July 2002 through April 2005 for between $2 |
| 380 and $2 |
| 700. |
Product
HEAT-N-GLO® Gem 36 and Gem 42 gas fireplaces
Description
The recall involves all HEAT-N-GLO® Gem 36 and Gem 42 direct vent gas fireplaces. The model number is located on the rating plate inside the unit on the base pan in front of the gas control. The rating plate can be accessed by removing the lower grille on the fireplace. This recall also includes Gem 36 fireplaces that recently received a replacement burner assembly.
Hazard
Gas in the fireplace can accumulate prior to burner ignition. When ignition takes place, it can cause the glass window to shatter and create a risk of burns or lacerations from broken glass.
Incidents & Injuries
Heat & Glo has received 21 reports of shattered glass, including four minor injuries.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should stop using the fireplaces immediately and contact Heat & Glo to make arrangements for a free repair. To be sure that no one uses the fireplace by mistake, consumers should shut off the gas supply to the fireplace by removing the lower grille on the fireplace and turning off the ball valve (red lever) on the gas supply line.
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.