February 2, 2006
DESA Heating Products is recalling more than 54,000 portable propane heaters. The burners on the heaters can "flashback," shooting fire into the burner tube rather than out the end.
This can cause the lower portion of the burner tube to get hot enough to ignite combustible material under the heater.
The recall is for DESA 40-80,000 BTU Portable Propane Convection Heaters.
DESA has received 40 reports of incidents possibly caused by the flashback hazard, including six reports of fires. The other 34 reported incidents involved minor property damage, including scorching of the flooring under the heater. There have been no reports of injury.
DESA 40-80,000 BTU Portable Propane Convection Heaters generate from 40,000 to 80,000 BTUs an hour. The following model names and number are involved in this recall: Reddy Heater (RCP80VC), All-Pro (SPC-80CC), MASTER (TC80VC), Universal (80-CC), and Dayton (6BY73). These heaters have serial numbers between 017390000 and 017632220. The model and serial numbers are on the carton and on labels attached to the heater. The designation Made in China is on the carton and model label attached to the heater.
The heaters were sold at home centers and hardware stores nationwide from August 2005 through December 2005 for between $100 and $130.
Consumers should stop using this heater immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a free replacement, refund or store credit.
If consumers have any questions concerning this recall, they should contact their local retailer, or they can contact DESA toll-free at (866) 279-3225 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the DESA Web site at www.desatech.com.
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
