CPSC Reminds Consumers that Deadline Nears for Cadet Heater Claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is
reminding Cadet heater owners that they must file a claim by February
17, 2002, to participate in the recall program. CPSC and Cadet
Manufacturing announced the recall of 1.9 million Cadet and Encore brand
in-wall heaters in February 2000, expanding the original recall of
190,000 heaters announced in October 1997.
CPSC alleges these heaters, which were distributed mainly in
California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, can overheat and
catch fire. Flames, sparks or molten particles can spew through the
front grill cover of the heater into the living area of a residence,
putting consumers at risk from fires, including burn injuries, smoke
inhalation and property damage. The heaters also can become energized
creating a risk of electric shock.
Previously, CPSC became aware of more than 320 reports of heaters
that smoked, sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning
particles or molten materials. These incidents allegedly resulted in
three deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims
exceeding $1.2 million.
The following models of Cadet and Encore brands are involved in
the recall: FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX and ZC. The brand
and model are located on a label on the front of the heat box, behind
the grill. Before removing the grill to check the identification label,
consumers must disconnect the power supply to the heater at the circuit
breaker. If power is not disconnected, consumers risk electrocution and
shock.
Cadet is offering consumers replacement heaters at a significantly
reduced cost. Each heater will cost between $25 and $57, depending on
the model. Also, consumers that replaced their recalled units from
October 23, 1997 through February 17, 2000, can file a claim for partial
reimbursement for $25 per heater. Consumers must register to participate
in this recall by February 17, 2002. To register, contact Cadet at (800)
567-2613 anytime or visit the firm's web site at
www.cadetco.com.
In October 1997, Cadet recalled its model FW, FX, LX and ZA
heaters to replace defective over-temperature black plastic limit
switches. By December 1997, Cadet informed CPSC that it could no longer
pay the full costs of the recall, and that the number of heaters
involved were far greater than it had originally known. While attempting
to resolve the problems with the limit switch recall, the CPSC staff
discovered additional problems with the heaters involved in the 1997
recall, as well as problems with some other Cadet and Encore models. In
addition to the switch defect, the February 17, 2000 recall announcement
stated the heating elements and internal wiring connections on these
heaters are defective and can fail. Even if consumers have had the
heaters' switches repaired, the heaters have additional problems and
need to be replaced.
CPSC strongly urges consumers to participate in this recall. Since
the recalled heaters pose a fire hazard until they are replaced,
consumers should have at least one fully operational smoke detector on
every floor of their home, especially near bedrooms. To ensure that the
detector's batteries are working, test the detector every month.
Consumers also should have a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan and
an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from
unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer
products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product
or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or
CPSC's teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054, or visit CPSC's web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand
service, call the above numbers or visit the web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/103.html. To order a press release through
fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine
and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and
recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.
