Cadet Heaters

Cadet and the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s joint recall program in 1999 was for the following products sold between 1982 and 1999:

				FW, RW
ZA, RA, Z, ZC	FX, RX	LX, RLX	TK, RK

The recall program for replacement heat boxes ended February 2002, as agreed upon between the CPSC, Bankruptcy Court, Creditors’ Committee and Class Action Group. Every effort was made to notify all concerned parties of the recall. Numerous mailings went out to all customers in our database, notices were placed in trade journals and newspapers, and local news stations carried the story. Additionally, letters were sent to utilities, insurance companies, electrical associations, electrical distributors, electricians, and fire marshals asking for their help in making consumers aware of the recall.

IMPORTANT! ALL HEATERS MUST BE INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIED! Although heaters may look the same, wattage and voltage may differ. The recall involved replacement of the heat box only. You can reuse your existing wall can and grill. A few exceptions apply:
TK and RK models will require total unit replacements.
FW and RW models require an additional adapter plate and grill.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Originally issued February 17, 2000, Last revised October 14, 2004 
Release # 00-070

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Cadet Manufacturing Co., of Vancouver, Wash., announced today the recall of more than 1.9 million Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters, distributed mainly in California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. This recall announcement follows the resolution of the lawsuit filed by CPSC staff against the company on January 14, 1999.

CPSC alleges that the following Cadet and Encore brand in-wall electric heaters are defective and can overheat and catch fire: models FW, FX, LX, TK, ZA, Z, RA, RK, RLX, RX, RW and ZC. 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 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 three deaths, two serious burn injuries and property damage claims exceeding $1.2 million, which include five partial or total house fires.