Portable Heaters Recalled by Holmes Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Holmes Products Corp., of Milford, Mass., is recalling about 45,000 heaters. The thermostats in some of these heaters are improperly positioned, which can cause them to overheat, posing a fire hazard.

Holmes Products has received 11 reports of these units overheating and catching fire. Six of these incidents resulted in minor property damage. No injuries have been reported.

These "Wide-Angle," portable heaters, manufactured in 1998, are approximately 12 inches high, and are in the shape of a half-circle. The front is white, and the back is gray. The units have two knobs on the top. The date code, which includes the number 98, is located on the back, right-hand corner of the units just above the box containing the Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) logo. Other writing inside the UL box includes, "MODEL: HFH-297" and "MADE IN CHINA." "Holmes(r)" also is written in the UL box and on the front of the unit.

Mass merchandise stores, such as Kmart and Target, sold these heaters from September 1998 through July 1999 for about $27.

Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, and contact Holmes for information on how to receive a refund. For more information, call Holmes at (888) 227-8936 anytime. Consumers also can access Holmes' web site at www.holmesproducts.com.