Gas water heaters recalled for fire and carbon monoxide hazards

On April 3, 2008 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Natural and Propane Gas Water Heaters

Units: About 1,500

Manufacturer: A.O. Smith Water Products Co., of Ashland City, Tenn.

Hazard: The water heater’s flue gas temperatures can exceed safe limits and produce excessive temperatures in the venting unit, posing a fire hazard. Also, the water heater’s exhaust can leak into the surrounding room, posing a carbon monoxide hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves 75 gallon natural and propane gas water heaters. “A.O. Smith” or “State” is printed on the side of the unit. A.O. Smith and State model and serial numbers included in this recall are listed in the chart below. Model and serial numbers are printed on the water heater’s rating plate.

Brand Name	Model Number	Serial Number Ranges
A.O. Smith	FCG-75 300	L07A071460 through L07A144966 or M07A009387 through M07A072884
	FCG-75 301
State	GS6 75 XRR S
	GS6 75 CRR S

Sold by: Independent contractors and plumbers nationwide from November 2007 through January 2008 for between $1,000 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled water heater and contact A.O. Smith to arrange for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact A.O. Smith toll-free at (866) 880-4661 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.hotwater.com

Goodman heating and cooling units recalled for fire hazard

On April 3, 2008 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.

Name of Product: Package Gas-Electric Heating and Cooling Units

Manufacturer: Goodman Manufacturing Co. L.P., of Houston, Texas

Units: About 1,000

Hazard: The serial plates on the units contain inaccurate information that could result in the use of undersized installation wiring, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None.

Description: This recall involves Goodman single package gas-electric heating and cooling units with model numbers GPG13480901AC, GPG13481151AC, GPG13600901BB, GPG13601151BB, and GPG13601401BB, and with serial numbers beginning 0712, 0801, and 0802. The model and serial numbers are found on the serial plate attached to the control compartment door on the front of the unit.

Sold by: Heating and cooling equipment dealers nationwide from December 2007 through February 2008.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Goodman is directly contacting consumers with the recalled units to arrange for a free replacement of the serial plates and free inspection of the installation wiring.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Goodman at (800) 394-8084 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the company’s Web site at www.goodmanmfg.com

Collins International Co. Recalls Oscillating Ceramic Heaters Sold at Menards Retail Stores Due To Fire Hazard

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.

Name of Product: Oscillating Ceramic Heaters

Units: About 20,000

Importer: Collins International Co., Ltd., of Fair Lawn, N.J.

Hazard: The heaters can overheat, smoke, or ignite which could pose a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Collins International has received seven reports of the heaters overheating, smoking, or igniting, including four reports of minor property damage to carpets and floors. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves 1500 watt oscillating ceramic heaters model EB38005. The heater has a white plastic housing with the name "Heat-Wave" in black on its top. A label on the bottom of the product contains the model and the control number "ETL 3090262."

Manufactured in: China

Sold at: Menards’ stores nationwide from September 2006 through March 2007 for about $25.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the heaters and return them to the nearest Menards’ store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Collins International toll-free at (866) 877-1889 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the company’s Web Site at www.collinsinternational.com

Berko Electric Toe-Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: Toe-Space Electric Heaters

Units: About 84,000

Manufacturer: Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known as Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, S.C.

Hazard: If the fan stops working and the heater continues to run, the unit can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Marley has received 29 reports of fires resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves electric, toe-space heaters typically installed in kitchens and bathrooms at floor level in the recessed space under cabinets. The recall includes Berko Electric catalog numbers TS, TS-1 and TS-1A and Emerson Electric "Chromalox Comfort Heating" and "Environmental Products" catalog number KSH2000. The heater is controlled by a wall thermostat or a thermostat mounted on the front of the heater. The heater has a removable, black metal grille that measures 23 1/2 -inches wide and 3 1/2 -inches tall with five sets of openings, each with seven horizontal louvers.

Sold by: Berko Electric wholesale distributors nationwide from 1972 through February 1985 and Emerson Electric wholesale distributors from 1980 through February 1985 for between $70 and $170.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off the heater at the thermostat and, if possible, at the home’s circuit breaker or fuse. Consumers should contact Marley to determine if they have a recalled heater and for further instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Marley at (800) 642-4328 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.berkomep.com/ts.htm

Junction Boxes recalled for fire hazard

The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted in cooperation with the Consumer product Safety Commission. Consumers should contact the distributor of the product to initiate inspection and corrective action.

Name of Product: Junction Boxes Used with Water Heaters

Units: About 2,800

Distributor: Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative, of Paxton, Ill.

Hazard: Wiring connections within the junction box can become loose, posing an overheating and fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has received 25 reports of overheating or melted wiring and wiring connectors. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves junction boxes installed between the water heater and load management switch. The metal junction boxes measure about 4 inches by 4 inches and have no markings. The junction box contains wiring connections for water heaters.

Sold by: Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative from June 1989 through late 2002.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative to schedule an appointment to have the switches re-wired at no cost. Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative has contacted consumers with recalled junction boxes directly.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, call Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative at (800) 824-5102 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.eiec.coop

Ceramic Heaters Recalled By Lasko; Heaters Could Pose A Fire Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Lasko Ceramic Heaters

Units: About 1.2 million

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

Hazard: The heater’s cord can overheat where it enters the base of the unit, which could pose a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lasko has received 28 reports of failed power cords, including six reports of minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Lasko ceramic heaters manufactured in 2005. Model numbers included in the recall are: 5132, 5345, 5362, 5364, 5420, 5532, 5534 and 5566. Model numbers are located on the bottom of the unit or at the rear of the base of the heaters.

Sold at: Major retailers, home centers and discount department stores nationwide from September 2005 through April 2006 for between $20 and $50.

Manufactured in: China

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

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Lasko at (800) 984-3311 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Laskoproducts.com