Family Dollar Stores Recall Tower Heaters

Family Dollar Stores has issued a recall of Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters because of 10 reports of overheating, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSP).

There have been some reports of temperature knobs melting but no reports of fires, injuries or property damage, CPSC reports.

The heaters were sold exclusively at Family Dollar Stores from September 2012 through December 2012 for about $35.

CPSP gives the following description of the recalled heaters:

Optimus Tower Quartz Heaters are portable electric tower heaters that are about 10 inches wide, 25 inches tall and 9 inches deep. The heaters have a white metal casing with a white plastic top, a wire cage protecting the heating elements and vent slits at the bottom. The front section of the top has the brand name Optimus, a power light, a caution light and two dials. One dial turns the heater on or off and selects the power of either 750 watts or 1500 watts. The other control knob selects the heat range between high and low. The rear section of the top has fire, high temperature and shock warnings and diagrams of the heater being used in 750 watt mode and 1500 watt mode. Model number “H-5232” is on a silver sticker on the bottom of the heater below the words “Optimus” and “Quartz Heater.”

Anyone who owns of one of these heaters should stop using it immediately. The heaters can be returned to any Family Dollar Store for a full refund. For more information, contact Family Dollar Stores at 800-547-0359 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Incidents with these heaters, or with any product, can be reported to CPSC online here.