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Sun-Sational Electric Heater

CPSC Recall #04-098 — March 16, 2004

Recall Summary

Recall Number04-098
Recall DateMarch 16, 2004
Remedy TypeDispose, No Remedy Available
Units Affected150,000
ManufacturerLakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill.
Manufactured InUnited States

Where It Was Sold

Retail stores nationwide
including Sam's Club
between August 1996 and February 2004 for between $30 and $40.

Product

Sun-Sational Electric Heater

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill., is voluntarily recalling 150,000 Sun-Sational Electric Heaters. Electrical connections inside of the heater can become loose. This could cause the metal portion of the heater to become energized, posing a serious shock hazard to consumers.Name of product: Sun-Sational Electric HeaterUnits: 150,000Manufacturer: Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill.Hazard: Electrical connections inside of the heater can become loose. This could cause the metal portion of the heater to become energized, posing a serious shock hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: None reported.Description: The recalled "Sun-Sational" Deluxe Radiant heaters have a metallic gray heating element, white base, and red control knobs. The heater has a label at the base that reads, "SUN-sational" and "Warning: Risk of Fire." The oval-shaped heater has an 800 Watt and 1200 Watt setting and has a sensor to alert users of overheating.Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, including Sam's Club, between August 1996 and February 2004 for between $30 and $40.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, unplug, disable and discard them. The firm is out of business, and a remedy is no longer available.

Hazard

Electrical connections inside of the heater can become loose. This could cause the metal portion of the heater to become energized, posing a serious shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents & Injuries

None reported.

Remedy Instructions

Firm no longer in business. Recall remedy no longer available. Discard the 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.

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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 (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.

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