Atico International USA Recalls Heaters Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Dollar General Stores
CPSC recall 11130 · announced February 16, 2011 · Dollar General Stores · 92,000 units affected
The product
Both heaters can be identified by the following model and item numbers and universal product codes (UPC): Model# Item# UPC Heater Fans NSB-200B A14B1053 40022749831 Portable Quartz Radiant Heaters HD-700 A14B0979 400022750066 Model numbers are found on a silver colored sticker on the bottom of the unit. Additionally, both heaters are marked with manufacturing dates between 6/1/2010 and 8/30/2010. The date code appears as "DATE CODE: 0610"
The hazard
These heaters have caught fire, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
What to do (per CPSC)
The firm is out of business, the remedy is no longer available, and the product should be discarded or destroyed. Remedy type: Refund
Notes
Incidents (per CPSC): Atico has received eight reports of the A14B1053 Heater Fan overheating and 21 reports of the A14B0979 Quartz Heater overheating. Reports for the A14B1053 Heater Fan included one report of damage to an electrical outlet and wall and one report of flames coming out of the front of the unit. Reports for the A14B0979 Quartz Heater included damage to the heater's plug, one report of flames coming from a control knob and one report of a consumer receiving minor burns to the hand. For both products, reports included incidents of smoke and melting of the plastic casing.
Sold at: Dollar General Stores from September 2010 to December 2010. The heater fans sold for about $15 and the quartz radiant heater sold for about $42.
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.