Recall of electric heaters

If you own a Berko Electric, Emerson Electric, or Environmental Products toe-space electric heater, the following recall could affect you.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on August 30, 2007, announced a recall of about 84,000 electric heaters that are usually installed in a kitchen or bathroom at floor level in the toekick under a cabinet. The fan on the heater could stop working but the heater could continue to run, posing a fire hazard.

As of the recall date, the manufacturer, Marley Engineered Products, of Bennettsville, South Carolina, has received 29 reports of fires that caused property damage. No injuries have occurred.

The recall involves Berko Electric heaters with catalog numbers TS, TS-1 and TS-1A and Emerson Electric Chromalox Comfort Heating and Environmental Products heaters with catalog number KSH2000. The heaters ($70 to $170) were sold by Berko Electric wholesale distributors nationwide from 1972 through February 1985 and by Emerson Electric wholesale distributors from 1980 through February 1985.

If you own a recalled heater, immediately turn it off at the thermostat. If you have access to your electric panel, also turn off power to the heater’s circuit.

For more information, contact Marley at 800-642-4328 (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday) or go to the company’s recall page.

Essential information: If you’re in the market for a new space heater, read our October 2007 report, “Add comfort with ease.” The story includes Ratings (available to subscribers) of 16 different models as well as important information on safety risks associated with propane and kerosene models.

Also read “Save hundreds on energy costs,” which features simple steps that you can follow to slash your utility bills this winter.