According to PR Newswire, The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of Lasko portable electric heater. The product recall includes about 107,500 units of Lasko Model 5540 and Air King Model 8540 manufactures in 2002.
Lasko received 36 consumer complaints of the electrical connection overheating with no reports of injury, however 18 of those reports included minor burn damage to floors or carpets. Lasko agreed to a voluntary recall due to the electrical connection in the base overheating, causing it to melt and expose electrical components, which poses a fire hazard and increases risk of personal injury.
The portable electric heater is 20.5 inches tall, 8.25 inches wide and 9.25 inches deep. The unit has a silver front cover and black vent slats in the back. The top of the units contains button controls and a digital temperature display. The unit beeps when any of its control buttons are pushed.
Consumers should look on the bottom left area of the units label for a date code that begins with a “2.” The date code is a four-digit number, located above the voltage number. Units with date codes other than “2” are not subject to this product recall.
The Lasko 5540 model sold in stores from September 2002 through early 2004 for $49 and Air King 8540 from late 2002 to 2004 for approximately $80.00.
The agency advises consumers to stop using the heaters immediately to due fire hazard and risk of injury.