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

  • Optimus Tower Quartz Heater, Model Number H-5232
  • Control panel of the Optimus Tower Quartz Heater
  • The Optimus Tower Quartz Heater model number is on the bottom of the unit.
Name of Product:
Portable Heaters
Hazard:
The heaters can overheat posing a fire hazard.
Remedy:
Refund
Recall Date:
May 09, 2013
Units:
About 19,640
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.

Recall Details

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."

Remedy:

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

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.

Importer

Family Dollar Services Inc., of Matthews, N.C.

Manufactured In:
China
Recall number:
13-186

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury 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. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.

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