The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·07298·Announced 2007-08-30

Berko Electric Toe-Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

Berko Electric is recalling about 84,000 toe-space heaters because a fan failure can cause the unit to overheat and start a fire. No injuries have been reported, but 29 fires caused property damage.

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 fire hazard with 29 reported fires resulting in property damage, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' under the Severe (4) classification.

Plain-English summary

Berko Electric, now known as Marley Engineered Products, is recalling about 84,000 electric toe-space heaters due to a fire hazard. The heaters, typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms at floor level, can overheat if the fan stops working while the unit continues to run. The recall includes Berko Electric catalog numbers TS, TS-1, and TS-1A, as well as Emerson Electric "Chromalox Comfort Heating" and "Environmental Products" catalog number KSH2000. The affected units feature a removable black metal grille measuring 23 1/2 inches wide and 3 1/2 inches tall.

The company has received 29 reports of fires resulting in property damage, but no injuries have been reported. These heaters were sold through Berko Electric and Emerson Electric wholesale distributors nationwide between 1972 and February 1985 for between $70 and $170.

Consumers should immediately turn off the heater at the thermostat and, if possible, at the home's circuit breaker or fuse. They should contact Marley at (800) 642-4328 or visit www.berkomep.com to determine if they have a recalled heater and for further instructions.

The recalled product

Product
Toe-Space Electric Heaters
Manufacturer
Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C.
Category
Consumer Product — Electric Heaters
Hazard
Affected units
84,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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