Recalled Big Lots Portable Space Heaters Pose Shock, Fire Hazard: CPSC

As the weather gets colder throughout the United States, federal safety regulators are reminding consumers about a risk of electric shock or fires that may be caused by the use of recalled portable space heaters sold at Big Lots stores, which were removed from the market over the summer.

A Big Lots heater recall was issued in June 2012, impacting about 70,500 portable space heaters and oscillating space hearters that were sold between September 2010 and March 2012.

The products were removed from the market after Big Lots received at least four reports of the space heaters overheating and melting, which could pose a potential fire or shock hazard for consumers, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

According to information released in the original recall notice, there had been no reports of injury, fire or property damage associated with the recalled space heaters. However, in a statement released last week, the U.S. CPSC reminded consumers about the problems with the space heaters, as well as with other recalled winter products, which were removed from the market over the summer.

The agency urged consumers to “play it safe” by checking if any cold weather-related products stored until the winter months have been recalled.

The Big Lots recall impacted two models of the 1500 watt Climate Keeper ceramic heaters which both are assembled with a fan, two dials on top, and a wired mesh panel across the name “Climate Keeper” on the front of the heater. The two models recalled have model number FH107A or PTC-902T and both have ETL number 3130679 displayed on a label underneath the heater. Model number FH107A comes in a grey plastic housing and is non-oscillating whereas model number PTC-902T is an oscillating heater with silver-grey plastic housing consisting of a small extra button between the two dials which controls the oscillation.

Other cold weather products that were highlighted by the U.S. CPSC include 120 recalled ECHO Bear Cat log splitters, 68,000 Harbor Breeze Bath Fans that container a heater and a light, and about 1,200 Snowpulse Avalanche Airbags.