Toe-Space Electric Heaters
CPSC Recall #07-298 — August 29, 2007
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 07-298 |
| Recall Date | August 29, 2007 |
| Remedy Type | — |
| Units Affected | About 84,000 |
| Manufacturer | Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C. |
| Manufactured In | United States |
Where It Was Sold
| Berko Electric wholesale distributors nationwide from 1972 through February 1985 and Emerson Electric wholesale distributors from 1980 through February 1985 for between $70 and $170. |
Product
Toe-Space Electric Heaters
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C., is voluntarily recalling about 84,000 Toe-Space Electric Heaters. If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.Name of Products: Toe-Space Electric HeatersUnits: About 84,000Manufacturer: Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C.Hazard: If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.Incidents/Injuries: Marley has received 29 reports of fires resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.Description: The recall involves electric, toe-space heaters typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms at floor level in the recessed space under cabinets. The recall includes Berko Electric catalog numbers TS, TS-1 and TS-1A and Emerson Electric "Chromalox Comfort Heating" and "Environmental Products" catalog number KSH2000. The heater is controlled by a wall thermostat or a thermostat mounted on the front of the heater. The heater has a removable, black metal grille that measures 23-1/2 inches wide and 3-1/2 inches tall with five sets of openings, each with seven horizontal louvers.Sold by: Berko Electric wholesale distributors nationwide from 1972 through February 1985 and Emerson Electric wholesale distributors from 1980 through February 1985 for between $70 and $170.Manufactured in: United StatesRemedy: Consumers should immediately turn off the heater at the thermostat and, if possible, at the home's circuit breaker or fuse. Consumers should contact Marley to determine if they have a recalled heater and for further instructions.Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Marley at (800) 642-4328 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.berkomep.com.
Hazard
If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents & Injuries
Marley has received 29 reports of fires resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should immediately turn off the heater at the thermostat and, if possible, at the home's circuit breaker or fuse. Consumers should contact Marley to determine if they have a recalled heater and for further instructions.
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.