Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima Toasters Recalled for Fire Hazard

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Black & Decker have announced an improved nationwide recall of the Spacemaker Optima Model T1000 Type 1 Horizontal Toasters. This action resolves an administrative complaint filed by CPSC, which alleged that Black & Decker's original unilateral recall in October 1997 did not adequately notify the public of the potential fire hazard or provide a sufficient consumer remedy. The toasters are being recalled because they can allow food to catch on fire; when the door automatically opens, flames can escape the unit and expose kitchen cabinets and contents to fire.

Black & Decker has reported 1,066 food fire complaints involving these toasters, with 656 incidents involving property damage ranging from kitchen cabinet damage to one kitchen fire. Additionally, eight burn injuries have been reported. Approximately 234,000 toasters were sold nationwide through retail stores from 1994 through 1996 for about $50 to $64. As of the announcement, only about 19,000 consumers had participated in the original recall.

Consumers should stop using these toasters immediately. The recalled units are identified by an "OPEN" button on the right side of the control panel, the words "Black & Decker...Spacemaker...Horizontal Toaster...Optima" on the door, "MODEL NO. T1000 TY1" stamped on the back, and date codes 405 through 504 on the outer prong of the plug blade. Consumers can contact Black & Decker at (800) 746-2159 between 8 am and 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, to receive a free replacement toaster or other selected product.

The recalled product

Product

Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima Model T1000 Type 1 Horizontal Toasters

Manufacturer

Black & Decker

Category

Consumer Product — Kitchen Appliances

Hazard

• fire
• burn-injury

Distribution

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