FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2011
Release #11-202 |
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 338-4896
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
|
Aquarium Heaters Recalled by United Pet Group Due to Fire and Laceration Hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro Aquarium Heaters
Units: About 1.2 million
Importer: United Pet Group, of Cincinnati, Ohio
Hazard: A wiring problem can cause the aquarium heaters to overheat or break during normal use, damaging the aquarium and posing fire and laceration hazards to consumers. Overheating can cause the heater to shatter or the aquarium glass to break.
Incidents/Injuries: United Pet Group has received 38 reports of fires resulting in property damage and 45 reports of broken aquarium glass. United Pet Group has received one report of a consumer who suffered an eye injury when the aquarium heater forcefully broke while he held it.
Description: The recall involves the following Marineland Stealth and Stealth Pro aquarium heaters. The heaters are black plastic tubes and have a temperature adjustment knob at the top. The model name "Stealth" (in white letters) or "Stealth Pro" (in red letters) is printed on the side of the heater. The model number and the wattage rating are printed below the model name. Stealth Pro heaters were also sold as part of aquarium starter kits.
| Marineland Stealth Models | Marineland Stealth Pro Models |
| Wattage | Model # | Wattage | Model # |
| 25W |
ETP25 |
25W |
ML90447-00 |
| 50W |
ETP50 |
50W |
ML90448-00 |
| 75W |
ETP75 |
75W |
ML90449-00 |
| 100W |
ETP100 |
100W |
ML90450-00 |
| 150W |
ETP150 |
150W |
ML90451-00 |
| 200W |
ETP200 |
200W |
ML90452-00 |
| 250W |
ETP250 |
250W |
ML90453-00 |
| |
|
300W |
ML90454-00 |
Sold at: Pet stores nationwide and on various websites from January 2004 through February 2011 for between $20 and $300.
Manufactured in: China and Italy
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled aquarium heaters and contact United Pet Group for a free replacement aquarium heater or a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact United Pet Group at (800) 338-4896 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.marineland.com
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
CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.