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WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2000 -- Cadet Manufacturing today
announced the recall of more than 1.9 million Cadet and Encore
brand in-wall electric heaters, implicated in more than 320
incidents, including three deaths.
This recall announcement follows the resolution of the lawsuit
filed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
staff against the company on January 14, 1999.
CPSC alleges that the following Cadet and Encore brand in-wall
electric heaters are defective and can overheat and catch
fire: models FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX and ZC.
The recalled heaters were distributed mainly in California,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Flames, sparks or molten particles can spew through the front
grill cover of the heater into the living area of a residence,
putting consumers at risk from fires, including burn injuries,
smoke inhalation and property damage. The heaters also can
become energized creating a risk of electric shock.
CPSC is aware of more than 320 reports of heaters that smoked,
sparked, caught fire, emitted flames, or ejected burning particles
or molten materials. These incidents have allegedly resulted
in three deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage
claims exceeding $1.2 million, which include five partial
or total house fires.
The heaters that are part of the recall announcement are
the following models of Cadet and Encore brands: FW, FX, LX,
TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX and ZC. The brand and model are
located on a label on the front of the heat box, behind the
grill. Before removing the grill to check the identification
label, consumers must disconnect the power supply to the heater
at the circuit breaker. If power is not disconnected, consumers
risk electrocution and shock.
Cadet is offering consumers replacement heaters at a significantly
reduced cost. Each heater will cost between $25 and $57, depending
on the model. Consumers who already have replaced the recalled
units from October 23, 1997, until today can file a claim for
partial reimbursement for $25 per heater. Consumers must register
to participate in this recall by February 17, 2002. To register,
contact Cadet anytime at (800) 567-2613 or at www.cadetco.com/recallprogram.html.
CPSC routinely requires companies to pay the full costs associated
with recalls. In this case, Cadet has recently emerged from
bankruptcy and is unable to provide free replacements or full
reimbursements.
In October 1997, Cadet recalled its model FW, FX, LX and
ZA heaters to replace defective over-temperature black plastic
limit switches. By December 1997, Cadet informed CPSC that
it could no longer pay the full costs of the recall, and that
the number of heaters involved were far greater than it had
originally known.
While attempting to resolve the problems with the limit switch
recall, the CPSC staff discovered additional problems with
the heaters involved in the 1997 recall, as well as problems
with some other Cadet and Encore models. In addition to the
switch defect, the heating elements and internal wiring connections
are defective and can fail. Even if consumers have had the
heaters' switches repaired, the heaters have additional problems
and need to be replaced.
CPSC strongly urges consumers to participate in this recall.
Since the recalled heaters pose a fire hazard until they are
replaced, consumers should have at least one fully operational
smoke detector on every floor of their home, especially near
bedrooms. To ensure that the detector's batteries are working,
test the detector every month.
Consumers also should have a well-defined and rehearsed escape
plan and an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire.
You can get information about this from "Your
Home Fire Safety
Checklist." To obtain a free hard copy of this publication,
write to CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207.
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