The calendar says that is now officially the end of winter and that summer is on its way. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls for two products -- one related to being indoors in cold weather and the other to being outdoors in warmer weather.

The first recall is for electric heaters. The "Sun-Sational" Deluxe Radiant heaters are being recalled because there are electrical connections inside these heaters that can become loose and cause shocks. These defective heaters need to be repaired or replaced.

The second recall is for outdoor barbecues. The Char-Broil Gas Grills are being recalled because the temperature gauge is not vented. If moisture gets inside the gauge, the glass cover on the gauge can shatter and injure anyone standing in the vicinity of the grill. This recall involves grills in the Commercial, Professional and Stainless Steel Series. Incidentally, some models run up to $1,000 so these are not low-end grills by any means.

Comment: The recall of electric heaters seems a little late with winter behind us. The gas grill recall seems more timely.

For additional information, visit the following areas:

MedicineNet's Product Recall Center
US Consumer Product Safety Commission

Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D.
Medical Editor, MedicineNet.com

CPSC, Lakewood Announce Recall of Electric Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Sun-Sational Electric Heater

Units: 150,000

Manufacturer: Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Ill.

Hazard: Electrical connections inside of the heater can become loose. This could cause the metal portion of the heater to become energized, posing a serious shock hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled "Sun-Sational" Deluxe Radiant heaters have a metallic gray heating element, white base, and red control knobs. The heater has a label at the base that reads, "SUN-sational" and "Warning: Risk of Fire." The oval-shaped heater has an 800 Watt and 1200 Watt setting and has a sensor to alert users of overheating.

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, including Sam's Club, between August 1996 and February 2004 for between $30 and $40.

Manufactured in: United States.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these heaters, unplug them, and contact the company for a free repair or replacement. Lakewood also will provide consumers with instructions as to how to return the heater to the company free of charge. Call Lakewood toll-free at (888) 858-3506 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Source: March 17, 2004 CPSC Release # 04-098

CPSC, Char-Broil® Announce Recall of Gas Grills to Replace Temperature Gauges

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, today announced voluntary recalls of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Char-Broil® Gas Grills to replace temperature gauges

Units: 108,000

Grill Distributor: Char-Broil, of Columbus, Ga.

Grill and Temperature Gauge Manufacturer: Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd. of Taiwan

Hazard: If moisture gets inside the temperature gauge, the glass cover on the gauge can break, posing a risk of injury to people nearby.

Incidents/Injuries: Char-Broil is aware of at least 30 reports of the gauges breaking, including 12 incidents of consumers who reported minor injuries.

Description: The products involved in this recall are outdoor, gas barbeque grills. The recall includes three types of grills: The Commercial Series, Professional Series and Stainless Steel Series. The specific component involved in the recall is the temperature gauge mounted on the grill lid. The Commercial Series models are constructed from both painted metal and Stainless Steel. The Professional Series and Stainless Steel Series models are Stainless Steel construction.

The Commercial Series gas grills have model numbers 4632210, 4632215, 463221503 and 463231503. These grills are sold with three main burners, with or without a side burner, and either a metal front panel or a cabinet with doors.
The Professional Series gas grills have model numbers 4632235, 4632236, 4632240 and 4632241. These grills are sold as LP or natural gas, three or four main burners, with or without a side burner, and a cabinet with doors.
The Stainless Steel Series by Char-Broil gas grill has model number 4632220. This grill is sold with three main burners and an open Stainless Steel Cart.

The grill model number is located on a label on the back panel of the storage cart. Char-Broil grills with model numbers other than those identified above are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Hardware, home improvement, appliance stores and specialty dealers nationwide. The Commercial Series grills sold from January 2002 through November 2003 for between $450 and $500; the Professional Series grills sold from February 2002 through November 2003 for between $800 and $1,000; and the Stainless Steel Series grills sold from January 2002 through May 2003 for $700.

Manufactured in: China.

Remedy: Contact Char-Broil to receive a free replacement temperature gauge. Consumers should not use the grill until the replacement gauge has been installed.

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Consumer Contact: Call the Char-Broil Grill Service Center toll-free at (866) 239-6769 anytime.

Source: CPSC News Release # 04-096 March 10, 2004

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