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

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

May 09, 2013, 11:17 ET

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumers should stop using this product, which is being recalled voluntarily, unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO)

Recall Summary

Name of product: Portable Heaters

Hazard: The heaters can overheat posing a fire hazard.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the heaters and return the product to any Family Dollar Stores location for a full refund.

Consumer 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.

Photos are available at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2013/Family-Dollar-Stores-Recalls-Optimus-Tower-Quartz-Heaters

Recall Details
Units: About 19,640
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."
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.
Sold exclusively at: Family Dollar Stores from September 2012 through December 2012 for about $35.
Importer: Family Dollar Services Inc., of Matthews, N.C.
Manufactured in: China

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on SaferProducts.gov.

Media Contact
Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.
Phone: (301) 504-7908
Spanish: (301) 504-7800

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline
Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:
800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)
Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime
Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission