The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·05503·Announced 2004-10-05

Runtal Sundance Towel Radiators Recalled for Overheating and Rupture Risk

Runtal North America is recalling 200 Sundance Towel Radiators because they may overheat and rupture when overloaded, releasing heated fluid that could cause burns.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (burn injury from overheating/rupture) where injury has not yet been reported, which aligns with the 'High' severity criteria in the rubric.

Plain-English summary

Runtal North America, Inc. is recalling 200 Runtal Sundance Towel Radiators. The product is a wall-mounted towel warmer and decorative heater that provides radiant heat through a thermal element inside a fluid-filled tubular rack. The recall is necessary because the towel rack may overheat and rupture when overloaded with towels. This rupture releases heated fluid, which could result in a burn injury.

Runtal has received one report of a Sundance Towel Radiator rupturing, but no injuries have been reported. The affected units were sold by Runtal North America, Inc. via their website between November 2003 and July 2004, and through the websites of Bed, Bath and Beyond and eQwip on a limited basis between November 2003 and January 2004. The units were sold for about $300.

Consumers should immediately stop using the heater function with towels loaded on the top rungs. Runtal is replacing all current Sundance units with new units that incorporate an improved temperature control and monitoring system at no cost to the consumer. The company is contacting every customer who purchased this product by letter and by phone to arrange for pick-up and replacement. Consumers can also contact Runtal North America, Inc. at 800-526-2621 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for more information.

The recalled product

Product
Runtal Sundance Towel Radiator
Manufacturer
Runtal North America, Inc., Ward Hill, Mass.
Category
Consumer Product — Home Heating
Hazard
Affected units
200

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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