Vornado has recalled about 350,000 of its VH101 Personal Vortex electric space heaters because of fire and burn hazards and a reported death resulting from using the heater. According to a WRAL news report, the electric space heater can overheat while in use causing fire and burn hazards. The company issued an initial recall earlier this year.
Death and Injuries
So far, there have been 19 documented cases of the heaters catching fire and one man has reportedly died in a fire involving one of these Vornado heaters. The recalled products were sold at Target, Amazon, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot and other locations between August 2009 and March 2018 for about $30.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the specific recalled products were sold in different colors and are the mode/type VH101. An ETL mark is printed on a silver-rating label on the bottom of each unit. Anyone who owns one of these heaters is asked to stop using them immediately and contact Vornado for a full refund or a free replacement unit. The fatality involving one of these space heaters occurred in December 2017 when a 90-year-old man was killed in Minnesota by a fire the heater caused.
Being Safe with Space Heaters
While space heaters are safe and convenient, they can also be dangerous. Here are a few tips to use these products safely:
- Look for space heaters with tip-over and overheat protection. Such heaters will shut off automatically if it is tipped over by accident.
- It is best to plug a space heater directly into an outlet with enough power capacity. Attaching an extension cord to the unit increases the chance of overheating, fires and electrical shock injuries. If you must attach an extension cord, use one that is properly rated and sized for the portable heater.
- You should occasionally inspect your space heater, particularly when you first purchase it. Clean and maintain it frequently to make sure it’s working safely. Never use a recalled or defective heater.
- When you leave the room, turn off the space heater and unplug it.
- Do not run heaters in a bathroom or a humid basement. Don’t touch the heater if your hands are wet as it increases the risk of electrical shock.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Despite these precautions, when products are defective, incidents do happen. If you have been injured as the result of a defective product, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. An experienced product defect lawyer will be able to provide you with more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.wral.com/recall-vornado-space-heaters-following-report-of-death-fire-hazard/17787733/
