Walmart Recalls Electric Space Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
According to the CPSC website Walmart has been notified of 21 incidents with these heaters. Eleven reports listed that the heater caused property damage to the heater and "damage beyond the heater". In other words, the heater caught something on fire. Four injuries have been reported, including smoke inhalation and burns requiring medical treatment.
As mentioned above, the brand names of the heaters are Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze and Comfort Essentials Heaters. The heaters are painted grey, have a metal handle on the top and have vents and grey control knobs on the front. A label on the lower left corner of the back panel of the heater displays the model number: 1013.
If you have one of these heaters, stop using it immediately and return it to Walmart for a full refund. For additional information, contact Walmart toll-free at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office offers the following recommendations for the use of space heaters: " When buying a new space heater, make sure it carries the mark of an independent testing laboratory and is legal for use in your community. Keep all combustible materials away from portable and space heaters. Place all space heaters at least three feet (one meter) away from furniture, walls, curtains, or anything else that burns. Plug your electric-powered space heater into an outlet with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord. Turn off space heaters whenever the room they are in is unoccupied or under circumstances when manufacturer's instructions say they should be turned off. Portable space heaters are so easy to knock over in the dark that they should be turned off when you go to bed."
In addition, find additional safety information on electric space heaters and other alternative home heating techniques here.
Sources:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office
Published by Major Jester
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3 Comments
Post a CommentThere's a lot of danger for the heat these give off. A much better option are the oil filled, stand alone radiator types.
Whenever electricity is used, safety is a major issue. Near our house, a small child lived in a rental home with his father and mother. The renter, as I understand it, a lawyer, rented the home without the proper detectors. A fire started in the chimney. The parents got away safe, but the mother re-entered to rescue her child. Only the father survived.
I have lousy baseboard heaters in my home that are not strategically placed, so supplement with space heaters. I do not use them at night or when I'm not home, and I turn them off if I'm even gone from the room for a short while. I have little trust in electrical stuff, especially those that draw a large amount of juice in a small unit, in a home with lousy wiring to start with.