The Recall Desk
SevereCPSC·99004·Announced 1998-10-07

Royal Sovereign RST-1200 Portable Heaters Recalled for Fire Risk

Royal Centurian/Sovereign is recalling about 39,300 Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters because a worn mechanism can damage electrical wiring, posing a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with 13 reported fires and approximately $70,000 in property damage, meeting the rubric criteria for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' under the Severe classification.

Plain-English summary

Royal Centurian Inc. and its affiliate Royal Sovereign Corp. are recalling about 39,300 Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters. The recall involves units with serial numbers beginning with 92, 93, 94, 95, or 96. These heaters are black, cylindrical, and were manufactured in South Korea.

The recall is due to a safety hazard where the mechanism that rotates the heater side-to-side can wear through the insulation of the electrical wiring inside the base. Additionally, some electrical connections inside the heater may be faulty. These conditions can result in a fire. The company has received 13 reports of fires involving these heaters, which caused approximately $70,000 in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

The heaters were sold nationwide at home building supply and discount stores, including Hechingers, Builders' Square, Walmart, and Montgomery Ward, from January 1992 through September 1997 for about $99. Consumers should stop using these heaters immediately and call Royal Centurian Inc. toll-free at (888) 347-2757 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday, for instructions on returning the heaters for free repair.

The recalled product

Product
Royal Sovereign model RST-1200 portable heaters
Category
Consumer Product — Portable Heaters
Hazard
Affected units
39,300

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

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