The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·11069·Announced 2010-12-16

Wal-Mart Recalls Electric Heaters Due to Fire and Burn Hazard

Wal-Mart is recalling approximately 2.2 million electric heaters sold nationwide from 2001 to 2009 because they can overheat, smoke, or catch fire.

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 significant injury reports (minor burns and smoke inhalation requiring medical attention) and property damage, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating under the rubric for significant injury/property-damage reports.

Plain-English summary

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is recalling approximately 2.2 million Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze, and Comfort Essentials 1500-watt electric heaters. The heaters are grey with a metal handle on top, grey control knobs on the front, and model number 1013 located on a label on the lower left corner of the back panel. These units were sold at Walmart stores nationwide from December 2001 through October 2009 for about $18.

The heaters can malfunction, resulting in overheating, smoking, burning, melting, and fire. Wal-Mart has received 21 reports of incidents, including 11 reports of property damage beyond the heater. Injuries were reported in four incidents, three of which required medical attention for minor burns and smoke inhalation. The remaining incidents included smoke irritation, sparking, or property damage beyond the heater.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heater and return the product to any Walmart store for a full refund. For additional information, consumers can contact Wal-Mart toll-free at (800) 925-6278 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the company's website at www.walmart.com.

The recalled product

Product
Flow Pro, Airtech, Aloha Breeze and Comfort Essentials Heaters
Manufacturer
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of Bentonville, Arkansas
Category
Consumer Product — Electric Heaters
Hazard

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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