CPSCMay 9, 2013

Family Dollar Stores Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters recall: Overheating and Fire Hazards

Family Dollar Stores Recalls Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters Due to Overheating and Fire Hazards

Why was Family Dollar Stores Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters recalled?

The heaters can overheat posing a fire hazard.

What should I do if I have this product?

Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the heaters and return the product to any Family Dollar Stores location for a full refund. Contact: Family Dollar Stores at (800) 547-0359 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.familydollar.com, then click on Product Recalls in the Help section at the bottom of the page.

What to do with a recalled product: refunds, receipts, safe disposal and how to report a problem.

Is my product affected?

Compare the item in your hand with every identifier below from the official CPSC record. Only products that match the listed product and identifiers are part of this recall.

Product
Portable Heaters
Company
Family Dollar Services Inc., of Matthews, N.C.
Quantity
About 19,640
Sold at
Family Dollar Stores from September 2012 through December 2012 for about $35.
Recall date
May 9, 2013
Incidents / injuries
Family Dollar Stores has received 10 reports of overheating, including some reports of temperature knobs melting. The firm has not received reports of injury, fire or property damage.
Agency
CPSC

Product description

Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters are portable electric tower heaters that are about 10 inches wide, 25 inches tall and 9 inches deep. The heaters have a white metal casing with a white plastic top, a wire cage protecting the heating elements and vent slits at the bottom. The front section of the top has the brand name Optimus, a power light, a caution light and two dials. One dial turns the heater on or off and selects the power of either 750 watts or 1500 watts. The other control knob selects the heat range between high and low. The rear section of the top has fire, high temperature and shock warnings and diagrams of the heater being used in 750 watt mode and 1500 watt mode. Model number "H-5232" is on a silver sticker on the bottom of the heater below the words "Optimus" and "Quartz Heater."

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