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Portable Electric Space Heater

CPSC Recall #85-011 - March 11, 1985

Recall Summary

Recall Number85-011
Recall DateMarch 11, 1985
Remedy TypeReplace

Where It Was Sold

The heaters were sold nationwide between August 1983 and March 1984 in large chain stores including Sears
as well as in small retail outlets.

Product

Portable Electric Space Heater

Description

Washington, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Patton Electric Company, New Haven, Indiana, today issued a reminder to the public of its voluntary recall, originally announced in April 1984, of a particular discontinued model of a "Patton" and "Sears" brand portable electric space heater because of a possible fire hazard. The firm is issuing this reminder because approximately 50,000 of the discontinued heaters may still be in consumer use. The CPSC has investigated over sixty incidents of fire in houses where these heaters were being used. Patton halted distribution of the heaters after reports of a possible fire hazard. In March 1984, Patton notified all retail outlets which sold the heaters to remove them from sale. The recalled electric heaters 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 above two models were involved in the recall. Consumers who may still have these heaters in their possession are urged to stop using them and to unplug them from electrical outlets. Owners should call Patton at l-800-528-6600 ext. 1722 (Arizona: l-800-352-0458 ext. 1722; Alaska l-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, as well as in small retail outlets. The units were sold for under $30.00. The company believes the potential fire hazard is related to the sliding type switch assembly and not the heater itself. This switch, which utilizes a diode, was installed only in the recalled heater models. These are also the only heaters manufactured in Hong Kong for Patton. 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 replace all suspect model heaters with a new domestically manufactured unit. The replacement as well as all transportation charges will be at no cost to the consumer.

Hazard

The "Patton" and "Sears" brand portable electric space heaters pose possible fire hazard.

Incidents & Injuries

The CPSC has investigated over sixty incidents of fire in houses where these heaters were being used. Patton halted distribution of the heaters after reports of a possible fire hazard.

Remedy Instructions

Under the recall program, Patton Electric will replace all suspect model heaters with a new domestically manufactured unit. The replacement 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 Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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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 (Replace) 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.

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