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US CPSC Notice of Cadet In-Wall Heater Safety Recall

Cadet in-wall electric heaters have been recalled and are considered unsafe - the model numbers and identification information are located in the CPSC notice shown below. However, as J. Simmons, a licensed electrician in Washington, points out, basic maintenance can cause any electric heater to become unsafe. In the photo shown here Mr. Simmons documents a completely blocked wall mounted heater air intake. Anyone using an electric heater, particulary these wall-mounted types whose inlet screen is not readily visible, should check their heater intake for blockage with lint or debris as shown here. When an electric heater's air intake becomes blocked, the heater will overheat and can present a serious fire hazard. (This is a variation on the electric or gas fueled clothes dryer fire hazard - lint blocks the air flow and the appliance overheats.)

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2002
Release # 03-030 Cadet Recall Hotline: (800)567-2613
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051

CPSC Reminds Consumers to Check for Recalled Cadet In-Wall Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to examine their in-wall electric heaters to determine if they are among the 1.9 million Cadet and Encore brand heaters recalled in February 2000. Although the Cadet Manufacturing Co. heaters were sold and distributed primarily in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington from about 1978 through 2000, some of the heaters were sold in other states. A four-year old boy died on September 14, 2002, in Alexandria, Va., when one of the recalled Cadet heaters allegedly was involved in a house fire.

CPSC strongly urges consumers to stop using these heaters and have them replaced if they have one of the recalled models. Consumers who had their heaters repaired under Cadet's original program in 1997 still need to get their heaters replaced. Consumers are advised to contact the Cadet informational Hotline or visit their website www.cadetco.com for where to buy replacement heaters.

Cadet Heater Recall Identification Photos

The following models of Cadet and Encore brands were involved in the February 2000 recall:

Cadet Heater Model FW	Cadet Heater Model FX
Cadet Heater Model LX	Cadet Heater Model TK
Cadet Heater Model RA	Cadet Heater Model RK
Cadet Heater Model RLX	Cadet Heater Model RX
Cadet Heater Model RW	Cadet Heater Model Z
Cadet Heater Model ZA	Cadet Heater Model ZC

Location of Cadet Heater Recall Model Information

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 turn off the power supply to the heater at the electrical panel board (circuit breaker or fuse box). If power is not turned off, consumers risk electrocution.

Cadet Heater Failure Description

CPSC alleged that these Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters are defective and can overheat and catch fire. 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 and their grills 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 four deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $4.3 million, which includes six partial or total house fires.

In January 1999, CPSC filed a lawsuit against Cadet to compel it to recall the heaters. Cadet filed for bankruptcy the same month. Working with the company and its creditors, on February 17, 2000, CPSC and Cadet announced a settlement of the lawsuit and a recall of the heaters. Cadet agreed to make new heaters available to Cadet owners at significantly reduced prices. However, due to Cadet's bankruptcy, the opportunity to obtain discounted heaters expired on February 17, 2002.

Since the 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. These recommendations and more are covered in "Your Home Fire Safety Checklist" (a pdf version is also available). You can also have a free copy mailed to you by writing to CPSC, Washington, D.C. 20207.

For more information about the recall, contact Cadet's informational Hotline at (800) 567-2613 anytime or visit the firm's website at www.cadetco.com

Send the link for this page http://www.inspect-ny.com/electric/CadetHeaters.htm to a friend!

Footnotes and Photo Credits

Photographs contributed to this website by Jim P. Simmons, Licensed Electrician, 360-705-4225 Mr. Electric, Licensed Master Electrician, Olympia, Washington

Critical Defects

Recognition of one of these Cadet wall-mounted heaters installed in a buidling is one of the critical defects which an inspector should recognize when examining any building. However home inspectors will not necessarily be informed regarding every unsafe consumer product or home component. Home owners and home buyers should check with the US CPSC regarding any possible product safety recall concerns. Critical defects involve components or system are defects which form an immediate, significant safety hazard or defects which are quite likely to involve significant repair or replacement cost, and which involve components or systems which are necessary to occupy and use the building. Methods for detection and diagnosis of these defects are discussed in this document and in its references. Suggestions for inclusion or exclusion of items in this list are invited - see the link "Contact Us".

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