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Lasko Recalls Portable Electric Heaters Due To Fire Hazard

Note: The firm's recall hotline phone number has changed.

  • LASKO MODEL 5540\n(AIR KING MODEL 8540 IS IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE\nBUT HAS THE "AIR KING" NAME AT THE TOP OF THE UNIT)
  • The Date Code is circled in red. If you have a model 5540 or\n8540, turn the heater over and check the date code located\nas shown on the label located at the bottom of the unit.
Hazard:
"An electrical connection in the base of the unit can overheat, causing it to melt and expose the electrical connection, posing a fire hazard to consumers."
Remedy:
Replace
Recall Date:
February 08, 2011
Units:
"About 107,500 units"

Recall Details

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2011
Release #11-121

Revised March 30, 2015

Lasko Recall Hotline: (800) 233-0268

Note: The firm's recall hotline phone number has changed.

 

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.

Type of Product: Portable electric heater

Units: About 107,500 units.

Manufacturer: Lasko Products Inc., of West Chester, Pa.

Hazard: An electrical connection in the base of the unit can overheat, causing it to melt and expose the electrical connection, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lasko received a total of 36 reports of the electrical connection overheating with no reports of injury. There were 18 reports of minor burn damage to floors or carpets.

Description: The portable, electric, tower heaters are 20.5 inches tall x 8.25 inches wide x 9.25 inches deep. They are dark grey with silver front covers and black vent slats. The brand names Lasko or Air King are on the top, center of the front cover. The Lasko Model 5540 and Air King Model 8540 subject to this recall were manufactured in 2002 and have date codes that begin with a "2." The date code is on the label located on the bottom of the unit. The date code is a four-digit number on the bottom left area of the label, above the voltage number. Heaters with date codes beginning with "3," "4" or "5" are not subject to this recall.

Sold at: The Lasko Model 5540 was sold at Sam's Club and other retailers from September 2002 through early 2004 for $39 to $49. The Air King Model 8540 was sold primarily through the maintenance, repair and operating products supply company, W.W. Grainger Inc. from late 2002 to 2004 for approximately $80.00

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the heaters immediately and contact Lasko to receive a free replacement heater.

Consumer Contact: For additional information and pictures of affected models, visit Lasko's website at www.Laskoproducts.com, or call Lasko anytime, toll-free at (800) 233-0268.

Picture of recalled electrical heater

LASKO MODEL 5540
(AIR KING MODEL 8540 IS IDENTICAL IN APPEARANCE
BUT HAS THE "AIR KING" NAME AT THE TOP OF THE UNIT)

Picture of recalled electrical heater label

The Date Code is circled in red. If you have a model 5540 or
8540, turn the heater over and check the date code located
as shown on the label located at the bottom of the unit.

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

If you are experiencing issues with a recall remedy or believe a company is being non-responsive to your remedy request, please use this form and explain the situation to CPSC.
About the U.S. CPSC

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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