The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·02098·Announced 2002-02-07

Honeywell Recalls Moveable Baseboard Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

Honeywell is recalling about 450,000 moveable baseboard heaters because the heating element can short-circuit and ignite material underneath. No injuries have been reported, but two fires damaged floors.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural electrical defect in a heating appliance that poses a fire hazard, with two reported cases of property damage (floor damage due to fire), meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Honeywell Consumer Products Inc. (HCP) is recalling approximately 450,000 moveable baseboard heaters sold nationwide from October 1997 through January 2001. The recalled units are white, measure about 40 inches long, 8 inches tall, and 4 inches wide, and feature the "Honeywell" name on the front. Specific identification criteria include a six-digit date code beginning with "97" on a sticker, or specific date codes stamped on the electrical plug prongs. Heaters with "01" stamped on the plug or "TYPE II" on the bottom are not included.

The recall is due to a defect where the heating element can short-circuit and ignite combustible material located under the heater. This poses fire and burn hazards to consumers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and HCP have received 53 reports of short-circuiting, including two instances where the floor beneath the heater was damaged by fire. No injuries have been reported.

Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and unplug them. They should contact HCP at (800) 290-8495 or visit www.honeywell.com to determine if their unit is part of the recall. Consumers with recalled units will receive instructions to mail them back to HCP for a free replacement heater.

The recalled product

Product
Moveable baseboard Heaters
Manufacturer
Honeywell Consumer Products Inc. (HCP), of Southborough, Mass.
Category
Consumer Product — Home Appliances
Hazard
Affected units
450,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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