Weather Works Ventilaire Electric Heaters
CPSC Recall #03-140 — June 4, 2003
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | 03-140 |
| Recall Date | June 4, 2003 |
| Remedy Type | Refund |
| Units Affected | 2,400 |
| Manufacturer | Weather Works Inc., of Miami, Fla. |
| Manufactured In | China |
Where It Was Sold
| Retail chain stores in Florida |
| such as The Andersons |
| Chase-Pitkin Home & Garden |
| and Florida Hardware |
| from June 2002 through March 2003 for about $20. |
Product
Weather Works Ventilaire Electric Heaters
Description
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Weather Works Inc., of Miami, Fla., is voluntarily recalling about 2,400 Electric Heaters. The electric heater can overheat internal plastic components and damage the wiring, posing a fire and electrocution hazard to consumers.Name of product: Weather Works Ventilaire Electric HeatersUnits: 2,400Manufacturer: Weather Works Inc., of Miami, Fla.Hazard: The electric heater can overheat internal plastic components and damage the wiring, posing a fire and electrocution hazard to consumers.Incidents/Injuries: Weather Works has received one report of a heater smoking and starting a fire, though no injuries were reported.Description: The portable electric heater is beige, constructed of a plastic housing, and has the "Weather Works" logo printed on the front side of the fan. On the base of the unit is a sticker reading, "Model No. CH-601, AC 120V - 60Hz, 1500 Watts, Made in China, 4H39."Sold at: Retail chain stores in Florida, such as The Andersons, Chase-Pitkin Home & Garden, and Florida Hardware, from June 2002 through March 2003 for about $20.Manufactured in: ChinaRemedy: Consumers should return the unit to the firm for a full refund plus cost of postage. The heater should be mailed to: 2340 NW 102nd Place, Miami, FL 33172.Consumer Contact: Weather Works at (866) 369-4170 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.Media Contact: Antonio Johnson, (305) 591-2250
Hazard
The electric heater can overheat internal plastic components and damage the wiring, posing a fire and electrocution hazard to consumers.
Incidents & Injuries
Weather Works has received one report of a heater smoking and starting a fire, though no injuries were reported.
Remedy Instructions
Consumers should return the unit to the firm for a full refund plus cost of postage. The heater should be mailed to: 2340 NW 102nd Place, Miami, FL 33172.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Refund 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) 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.