The Recall Desk
CriticalCPSC·18199·Announced 2018-08-22

Vornado VH101 Electric Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire and Death

Vornado Air is recalling VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heaters because they can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. One death and 19 fire reports have been linked to the units.

What this means for you

Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that a 90-year-old man died as a result of a fire involving the recalled heater. Per the rubric, if reported deaths exist anywhere in the source text, the score is 5 regardless of other factors.

Plain-English summary

Vornado Air LLC is recalling approximately 350,000 VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heaters. The recall was first announced in April 2018 and reannounced in August 2018 following a report of a death. The affected heaters are available in black, coral orange, grayed jade, cinnamon, fig, ice white, and red. They measure about 7.2 inches long by 7.8 inches wide by 7.10 inches high and feature two heat settings and a fan-only setting. The model number VH101 is printed on a silver rating label on the bottom of the unit.

The heaters can overheat when in use, which poses fire and burn hazards. In December 2017, a 90-year-old man in Chanhassen, Minnesota, died as a result of a fire involving the recalled heater. Vornado has received a total of 19 reports of the heaters catching on fire.

The heaters were sold at Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Menards, Orchard Supply, Target, and other stores nationwide, as well as online at Amazon.com, Target.com, Vornado.com, and other websites from August 2009 through March 2018 for about $30. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and contact Vornado for instructions on how to receive a full refund or a free replacement unit.

The recalled product

Product
VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heaters
Manufacturer
Vornado Air LLC, of Andover, Kan.
Category
Consumer Product — Electric Space Heater
Hazard
Affected units
350,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same manufacturer · Vornado Air LLC, of Andover, Kan.

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Same hazard · fire

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