DESA Heating Products Recalls Portable Propane Convection Heaters

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: "40-80,000 BTU Portable Propane Convection Heaters"

Units: About 54,500

Importers: DESA Heating Products, of Bowling Green, Ky.

Hazard: The burners on these heaters can "flashback", which is when fire burns inside the burner tube rather than out the end. This can cause the lower portion of the burner tube to get hot enough to ignite combustible material under the heater.

Incidents/Injuries: DESA has received 40 reports of incidents possibly caused by the flashback hazard, including six reports of fires. The other 34 reported incidents involved minor property damage, including scorching of the flooring under the heater. There have been no reports of injury.

Description: DESA 40-80,000 BTU Portable Propane Convection Heaters generate from 40,000 to 80,000 BTUs an hour. The following model names and number are involved in this recall: Reddy Heater (RCP80VC), All-Pro (SPC-80CC), MASTER (TC80VC), Universal (80-CC), and Dayton (6BY73). These heaters have serial numbers between 017390000 and 017632220. The model and serial numbers are on the carton and on labels attached to the heater. The designation "Made in China" is on the carton and model label attached to the heater.

Sold at: Home centers and hardware stores nationwide from August 2005 through December 2005 for between $100 and $130.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using this heater immediately. The firm is out of business. A remedy is no longer available. Consumers should discard the product.